Subacute posttraumatic ascending myelopathy (SPAM): A potential complication of subarachnoid shunt for syringomyelia?

Context: Treatment of primary spinal syringomyelia is still controversial. Among others, shunting syrinx fluid to the subarachnoid, peritoneal or pleural space has been utilized with varying success. Shunt obstruction, migration, and infection represent the most common complications of these procedures.

Findings: The authors present the case of an 81-year-old woman who developed an unusual neurological deterioration resembling a subacute posttraumatic ascending myelopathy (SPAM) after the insertion of a syringosubarachnoid shunt for the treatment of slow-growing D10 syringomyelia.

Conclusion/Clinical Relevance: To date, no cases of SPAM secondary to the insertion of a syringosubarachnoid shunt for the treatment of syringomyelia have been reported. The potential pathogenesis related to this phenomenon is discussed.     

Impact of new technologies on diabetes care

Technologies for diabetes management, such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, have improved remarkably over the last decades. These developments are impacting the capacity to achieve recommended hemoglobin A1c levels and assisting in preventing the development and progression of micro- and macro vascular complications. While improvements in metabolic control and decreases in risk of severe and moderate hypoglycemia have been described with use of these technologies, large epidemiological international studies show that many patients are still unable to meet their glycemic goals, even when these technologies are used. This editorial will review the impact of technology on glycemic control, hypoglycemia and quality of life in children and youth with type 1 diabetes. Technologies reviewed include CSII, CGM systems and sensor-augmented insulin pumps. In addition, the usefulness of advanced functions such as bolus profiles, bolus calculators and threshold-suspend features will be also discussed. Moreover, the current editorial will explore the challenges of using these technologies. Indeed, despite the evidence currently available of the potential benefits of using advanced technologies in diabetes management, many patients still report barriers to using them. Finally this article will highlight the importance of future studies tailored toward overcome these barriers to optimizing glycemic control and avoiding severe hypoglycemia.     

The role of epsilon phenotype in brain glucose consumption in Alzheimer’s disease

The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of the epsilon phenotype in brain glucose consumption in a population with Alzheimer’s disease. Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) was used to investigate differences in brain glucose consumption (as detectable by means of 18F FDG-PET/CT) in the population examined. A total of 129 patients (72 females and 57 males) with a diagnosis of probable AD according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria underwent the PET/CT examination. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 70 (± 7) years; the mean Mini-Mental State Examination was 19(± 5.6). 59 expressed epsilon 4 phenotype (E4) and 70 expressed the epsilon 3 phenotype (E3). Cerebral spinal fluid amyloid, tau, and t-tau have been measured resulting equal to 367.4 (± 149.1), 584.7 (± 312.1), and 79.2(± 45.9) pg/ml, respectively. Patients with confirmed amyloid and Tau changes were classified as AD. Patients with amyloid changes but negative Tau, considered as high risk of AD, were classified as IAD. Age, sex, MMSE, scholarship, and CSF parameters were used as a covariate in the SPM analyses. We did not find significant differences in age, gender, and MMSE and CSF parameters among groups. In the analysis of the AD group as compared to AD-E3, AD-E4 subjects show a significant reduction of brain glucose consumption in inferior frontal gyrus bilaterally (BA 45, BA 47). In the analysis of the IAD group as compared to IAD-E3, IAD-E4 subjects show a significant reduction of brain glucose consumption in right in medial, middle, and superior frontal gyrus (BA10, BA11), and in left medial and middle frontal gyrus (BA10, BA11). The differences between IAD-E3 and AD-E3 and between IAD-E4 and AD-E4 (and vice versa analysis) resulted not significant. APO-e4 is related to a major involvement of the frontal cortex confirming its role of risk factor in AD, while APO-3 seems not related to a specific pattern, supporting the hypothesis of neutral/protective role in AD.     

Using complexity theory to build interventions that improve health care delivery in primary care

Previous observational research confirms abundant variation in primary care practice. While variation is sometimes viewed as problematic, its presence may also be highly informative in uncovering ways to enhance health care delivery when it represents unique adaptations to the values and needs of people within the practice and interactions with the local community and health care system. We describe a theoretical perspective for use in developing interventions to improve care that acknowledges the uniqueness of primary care practices and encourages flexibility in the form of intervention implementation, while maintaining fidelity to its essential functions.     

Transport mechanism of L-[14C]glutamate in cortical slices and synaptosomes of rabbits exposed to brain ischemia and reperfusion

Molecular and chemical neuropathology - Changes in the functioning of the glutamatergic system in rabbit brain were studied after partial brain ischemia and reperfusion. In vitro studies were...     

Faecal occult blood test‐based screening programme with high compliance for colonoscopy has a strong clinical impact on colorectal cancer

Background:

The results of a pilot colorectal cancer screening programme by biennial immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FOBT) are reported.

Methods:

All residents aged between 50 and 69 years in the Italian province of Lecco were invited to have a FOBT. Those with a positive result were offered colonoscopy. FOBT uptake and compliance with colonoscopy were assessed. Detection rate and positive predictive value (PPV) for cancer and adenoma were calculated. Tumour stages were compared between screen‐detected cancers and other colorectal cancers diagnosed within the target age group.

Results:

Some 38 693 (49·6 per cent) of 78 083 individuals had a FOBT and 2392 (6·2 per cent) had a positive result. Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 4·6 per cent and advanced adenoma in 32·7 per cent. PPVs were 4·0 per cent for cancer, 28·1 per cent for advanced adenoma and 36·6 per cent for any adenoma. There was a significant difference in incidence of stage III/IV disease between screened and non‐screened cohorts. Compliance for colonoscopy was 92·0 per cent. Major determinants of compliance were age less than 59 years, female sex, high education level and non‐manual work.

Conclusion:

These results justify extension of colorectal cancer screening to other regions of Italy. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.