scholarly journals The spectrum and differential diagnosis of acquired ocular motor nerve palsies: a clinical study of 502 patients

Author(s):  
Rebecca Hörner ◽  
Jan Kassubek ◽  
Jens Dreyhaupt ◽  
Albert C. Ludolph

Abstract Background Ocular motor nerve palsies (OMNP) frequently cause patients to present in an emergency room. In the following study, we report the differential diagnosis of OMNP by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF examination as a standard. Method We performed a data analysis of N = 502 patients who presented with oculomotor, trochlear, and/or abducens nerve palsy in the emergency room of the Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, between January 2006 and December 2019. We report clinical and MRI scan findings in all patients; furthermore, the CSF of 398 patients has been analysed. Results Abducens nerve palsies were most common (45%), followed by palsies of the oculomotor (31%) (CNP III) and trochlear nerve (15%). Multiple OMNPs were seen in 9% of our cohort. The most common causes included inflammations (32.7%), space-occupying lesions, such as aneurysms or neoplasms (17.3%), diabetes mellitus (13.3%), and brainstem infarctions (11%). Still 23.4% of the patients could not be assigned to any specific cause after differential diagnostic procedures and were described as idiopathic. One of three patients with an inflammation and 39% of the patients with space-occupying lesions showed additional cranial nerve deficits. Conclusion Inflammation and space-occupying processes were the most frequent causes of OMNP, although brainstem infarctions also play a significant role, in particular in CNP III. The presence of additional CNPs increases the probability of an inflammatory or space-occupying cause.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. e232317
Author(s):  
Hao Meng Yip ◽  
Kirtana Vallabhaneni ◽  
David Williams

Neurosarcoidosis when encountered by neurologists most commonly presents as cranial neuropathy, peripheral mononeuropathy,polyneuropathy, myopathy, meningitis or myelopathy. There are limited reports in the current literature on the cases of neurosarcoidosis patients presenting with ischaemic stroke. We discuss a 52-year-old patient with a known previous history of cutaneous sarcoidosis presenting with an acute third nerve palsy, facial weakness and ataxia. His magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain demonstrated focal signal changes in the midbrain consistent with an acute ischaemic event in the region of his third nucleus, suggesting a partial Claude syndrome presentation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination demonstrated an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level. We discuss the difficulties associated with confirming a diagnosis for his presentation and consider distinctions in stroke in neurosarcoid and its management in comparison to more common causes.


Author(s):  
Bruce Mackay

The broadest application of transmission electron microscopy (EM) in diagnostic medicine is the identification of tumors that cannot be classified by routine light microscopy. EM is useful in the evaluation of approximately 10% of human neoplasms, but the extent of its contribution varies considerably. It may provide a specific diagnosis that can not be reached by other means, but in contrast, the information obtained from ultrastructural study of some 10% of tumors does not significantly add to that available from light microscopy. Most cases fall somewhere between these two extremes: EM may correct a light microscopic diagnosis, or serve to narrow a differential diagnosis by excluding some of the possibilities considered by light microscopy. It is particularly important to correlate the EM findings with data from light microscopy, clinical examination, and other diagnostic procedures.


Author(s):  
Joanna Podgorska ◽  
Agnieszka Anysz-Grodzicka ◽  
Andrzej Cieszanowski

Background: Fat can be identified in numerous liver lesions, and usually is not a specific finding. Distinguishing between different kinds of fatty deposits is an important part of differential diagnosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is superior to other imaging techniques because it allows distinguishing intracellular from macroscopic fat. Discussion: Intracellular lipid may be found in focal hepatic steatosis, hepatic adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and, less commonly, in focal nodular hyperplasia as well as regenerative and dysplastic nodules. Macroscopic fat is seen in angiomyolipoma, lipoma, metastases from fatcontaining neoplasms, primary or metastatic liposarcoma, hydatid cyst, pseudolipoma of the Glisson capsule, pericaval fat collection, lipopeliosis, hepatic teratoma, focal hepatic extramedullary haematopoiesis and adrenal rest tumour. Conclusion: Liver nodules should be characterised with regard to underlying liver condition, MRI characteristics and contrast enhancement pattern, including hepatobiliary phase. In many cases, identification of fatty content may help narrowing the differential diagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 390-395
Author(s):  
Aneesh Dhar ◽  
Elysia Donovan ◽  
Darryl Leong ◽  
Sebastien J. Hotte ◽  
Anand Swaminath

Metastatic lesions of the heart are rare but have the potential to cause significant morbidity. We describe the case of a patient with renal cell carcinoma who presented with shortness of breath and palpitations and was found to have a metastatic myocardial lesion causing arrythmia. He received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to alleviate symptoms and provide local control. SBRT planning was executed using a four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) scan to account for respiratory and cardiac motion. Images from a planning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a gated diagnostic MRI scan of the heart were fused with the 4DCT to assist with delineating the tumour. A dose of 30 Gy in five fractions was delivered without incident. The patient’s cardiac MRI at two months post-treatment showed stability of his cardiac lesion. He subsequently died of distant disease progression, without any recurrence of his cardiac symptoms. SBRT may be considered for patients who present with a symptomatic metastatic cardiac lesion.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (S4) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres M. Kanner ◽  
Andrew J. Cole

A 27-year-old woman presented to the emergency room after having witnessed generalized tonic clonic seizure while asleep. Birth and development were normal. She had suffered a single febrile seizure at 13 months of age, but had no other seizure risk factors. She was otherwise well except for a history of depression for which she was taking sertraline. Depressive symptoms had been well controlled over the past 3 months, but she had been under increased stress working to finish a doctoral thesis. Neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed modest asymmetry of the hippocampi, slightly smaller on the right, but no abnormal signal and well-preserved laminar anatomy. An electroencephalogram was negative. She was discharged from the emergency room with no treatment. Three weeks later, the patient's boyfriend witnessed an episode of behavioral arrest with lip smacking and swallowing automatisms lasting 45 seconds, after which the patient was confused for 20–30 minutes. The next morning she and her boyfriend kept a previously scheduled appointment with a neurologist.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Luc Gamache ◽  
Maude-Marie Gagnon ◽  
Martin Savard ◽  
François Émond

This article reports the case of a 68-year-old patient with anti-HU antibodies paraneoplastic encephalitis. The clinical manifestations were atypical and the paraclinical work-up, notably the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing bilateral posterior thalamic hyperintensities (pulvinar sign), misleadingly pointed towards a variant Creutzfeld–Jakob disease. After presenting the case, the differential diagnosis of the pulvinar sign is discussed along with other important diagnostic considerations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872098713
Author(s):  
Janna Afanasjeva ◽  
Michael Gabay ◽  
Thomas Poznanski ◽  
Stefanie Kerns

This is an update to the 2010 article published in Hospital Pharmacy on safety concerns involving transdermal patches and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since publication of the original article, new brand and generic transdermal medications have become available and notable changes regarding the presence or absence of metallic content among existing transdermal formulations occurred. To update the tables within the article, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved transdermal medications through October 2020 were researched in order to determine metallic content and procedures for reapplication after MRI, if applicable. Readers should consult the prescribing information or manufacturer for the most current information on use of transdermal medications in the MRI setting. Of note, manufacturers have not evaluated the use of transdermal products while patients undergo a MRI scan.


Author(s):  
Simon Schieferdecker ◽  
Stefan Hunsche ◽  
Faycal El Majdoub ◽  
Mohammad Maarouf

AbstractIn this case report, the authors describe the first case of a glioependymal cyst of the brainstem managed by robot-assisted, stereotactic, cysto-ventricular shunting. Glioependymal cysts are rare congenital cystic lesions that are thought to form by displacement of ependymal cells during the embryonal period. Glioependymal cysts have been reported in a variety of different locations within the central nervous system. However, glioependymal cysts of the brainstem have only been described once before. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man who was referred to our department due to hemiparesis, hemihypesthesia, and hemidysesthesia, as well as facial and abducens nerve palsy. A large pontine glioependymal cyst was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The cyst was subsequently decompressed by connecting the cyst with the fourth ventricle via robot-assisted stereotactic shunt placement. In the postoperative course, the patient made a quick recovery and did not report any permanent neurologic deficits.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (01) ◽  
pp. 056-059
Author(s):  
Carlos Pereira

AbstractThe Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon is a paradoxical neurological manifestation consisting of a motor deficit ipsilateral to a primary brain injury. It has been observed in patients with brain tumors and with supratentorial hematomas. It is considered a false localizing neurological sign. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan has been the test of choice. The recognition of this phenomenon is important to prevent a surgical procedure on the opposite side of the lesion. The present case report describes a case of chronic subdural hematoma with a probable finding of the Kernohan-Woltman phenomenon, and it discusses its pathophysiology, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roslind Karolina Hackenberg ◽  
Arnd Von den Driesch ◽  
Dietmar Pierre König

We report the case of a 62-year-old patient with lower back pain radiating into the right leg accompanied by numbness. The pain had an acute onset and was resistant to conservative pain treatment. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the lumbar spine showed no degenerative discovertebral lesions, but a swelling of the nerve root supplying the affected dermatome. For pain treatment the patient received lumbar epidural infiltrations. During this treatment the patient suddenly developed a skin rash with grouped vesicular blisters on an erythematous ground. After the diagnosis of a lumbar herpes zoster and an acyclovir treatment, the patient could be discharged in an ameliorated condition. This case demonstrates the importance to consider rare causes of lumbosciatic pain and disorders and to acknowledge unspecific changes in a MRI scan.


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