Visual attention deficits in Alzheimer's disease: relationship to HMPAO SPECT cortical hypoperfusion

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) display a multiplicity of cognitive deficits in domains such as memory, language, and attention, all of which can be clearly linked to the underlying neuropathological alterations. The typical degenerative changes occur early on in the disease in the temporal-parietal lobes, with other brain regions, such as the frontal cortex, becoming more affected as the disease progresses. In light of the importance of the parietal cortex in mediating visuospatial attentional processing, in the present study, we investigated a deficit in covert orienting of visual attention and its relationship to cortical hypoperfusion in AD. We characterized the visual attentional profile of 21 AD patients, relative to that of 26 matched normal individuals, and then assessed the correspondence between behavior and hypoperfusion, as measured by regional cerebral blood flow using SPECT. Relative to controls, the AD group demonstrated a unilateral attentional deficit, with disproportionate slowing in reorienting attention to targets in the left compared to the right hemispace, especially following an invalid peripheral cue. Furthermore, even in the presence of bilateral pathology typical of AD, there was a positive correlation between this unilateral attentional disorder and the magnitude of the right superior parietal lobe hypoperfusion. The association of the altered attentional processing profile (i.e., greater difficulty disengaging attention from right-sided stimuli) with right-hemisphere-predominant hypoperfusion not only confirms the critical role of the right parietal lobe in covert attentional orienting but, more importantly, identifies a potential locus of the behavioral alterations in visuospatial processing in AD.     

Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor: a promising strategy for treating age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the industrialised world. While treatment options for advanced AMD have been rather limited until recently, the introduction of intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic agents appears to be a promising and revolutionary mode of treatment for this blinding disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularisation, one of the cornerstones of advanced AMD. Pegaptanib, the first anti-VEGF treatment approved for AMD patients, is a VEGF-neutralising aptamer that specifically inhibits one isoform of VEGF (VEGF-165). Although evidence suggested that pegaptanib was superior to previous treatment options, results with this agent were still unsatisfactory. Ranibizumab is a humanised anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody fragment that inhibits all isotypes of VEGF. This new drug has demonstrated a high efficacy profile in terms of inhibiting disease progression and even improving visual acuity. Bevacizumab is a full-length anti-VEGF antibody that was originally approved for use in metastatic colon cancer and is under investigation as a low-cost off-label alternative for patients with AMD. There is growing evidence that this drug may be an effective and safe alternative to the more expensive ranibizumab, although prospective multicentre trials are required to fully investigate this issue. Undoubtedly, the concept of directly injecting anti-VEGF drugs into the vitreal cavity brings new hope to many AMD patients.     

A short bedside battery for visuoconstructive hemispatial neglect: Sunnybrook Neglect Assessment Procedure (SNAP)

Although it is currently not known whether early assessment and treatment of hemispatial neglect improves rehabilitation outcome, identification in the acute phase of post stroke is important for nursing, counseling families, and planning intervention strategies. Previous tests of neglect either fail to detect mild forms of neglect or are too lengthy for use at the bedside. We tested and selected an efficient, small battery of tests to address this gap. Two hundred and twenty-four stroke patients completed the Sunnybrook Neglect Assessment Procedure (SNAP). Normal performance was determined from a population of 100 normal elderly volunteers. The SNAP was shown to be a highly reliable and valid instrument. Factor analysis showed good internal consistency, suggesting that performance on each subtest is positively correlated with the others. The SNAP is a useful and reliable tool to assess neglect at the bedside in acute stroke patients.     

Premarketing surveillance of ibuprofen suppositories in febrile children

In many countries, ibuprofen is available only in oral formulations. The authors aimed to investigate parental satisfaction and possible adverse reactions among children receiving newly marketed ibuprofen suppositories, prior to their arrival at the pharmaceutical points of distribution. Children needing antipyretic medication were recruited from 11 pediatric wards and clinics in Israel. Each patient received ibuprofen suppositories (5-10 mg/kg/dose) after completing a data collection form. After 3 to 7 days of treatment, information regarding parent satisfaction, possible adverse reactions, and concomitant use of drugs was obtained. Overall, 490 children completed the study. Parents' satisfaction was high (4.5 ± 0.47 on a scale of 1-5), and 92.2% reported that they would use the medication in the future. Adverse reactions were reported in 8 patients (1.63%, 95% confidence interval = 1.77-3.25), the most common being diarrhea. Rectal administration of ibuprofen suppositories is well tolerated and overall satisfaction and the repeated expected use were high.     

Late post-reimplantation ureteral obstruction during pregnancy: a transient phenomenon?

PURPOSE: Patients with a history of surgical correction of vesicoureteral reflux warrant surveillance for long-term complications. However, there are little data on long-term outcome, based mainly on small series and insufficient followup. Close followup is particularly indicated during pregnancy since these patients tend to have a dilated collecting system and frequent urinary tract infections. As part of a long-term postoperative assessment of patients who underwent ureteral reimplantations in childhood, we focused on late pregnancy related obstructive dilatation associated with renal failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1970 and 1979, 322 children underwent ureteral reimplantation at our institution. A comprehensive retrospective study done to evaluate the long-term postoperative outcome, detected 2 cases of late gestational ureteral obstruction. Subsequently 2 additional cases were identified elsewhere. RESULTS: All 4 patients underwent successful Politano-Leadbetter ureteral reimplantation at ages 4 to 12 years. They presented during pregnancy 17 to 22 years postoperatively with progressive hydroureteronephrosis and renal failure, which required urinary drainage by percutaneous nephrostomies. Antegrade studies performed during pregnancy and in the early post-delivery period revealed severe obstruction of the distal ureters, which gradually subsided. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral obstruction during pregnancy, in women who previously underwent Politano-Leadbetter ureteral reimplantation, may be attributed to high reimplantation syndrome and is likely to be a transient phenomenon. Awareness of this late and rare complication may enable us to detect this situation early, provide temporary adequate urinary drainage and prevent unnecessary surgical procedures.     

Orbital Inflammatory Syndrome Post Group A Streptococcal Infection — Case Series and Review of Literature

Objective: To report new cases of orbital inflammatory syndrome (OIS) post group A streptococcal (GAS) infection and review the literature.

Methods: A retrospective case series of patients with OIS post GAS infection seen in our clinic (from January 2015 to December 2016) and review of additional patients from the literature.

Results: A total of nine patients with OIS post GAS infection were included in the study (four patients seen in our clinic and five from previous literature); seven females and two males, three children (under the age of 16), and six adults. Eight patients (89%) presented with a single rectus muscle (5 medial, 3 lateral) myositis, and one (11%) presented with posterior scleritis and diffuse OIS.

Conclusions: Although there are very few reports on OIS post GAS infection, it may be more common than previously thought and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with orbital inflammation.