scholarly journals Mirtazapine for treatment of visual snow syndrome: A case series with insights into pathophysiology and therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 2514183X2092569
Author(s):  
Ozan Eren ◽  
Christoph J Schankin
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Visual Symptoms ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Treatment Trials ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Entire Visual Field ◽  
Patient Series

Background: Patients with visual snow syndrome (VSS) describe tiny flickering dots in the entire visual field resembling the noise of a poorly adjusted channel of analogue television with additional symptoms. Little is known about the pathophysiology and therapeutic options for this debilitating condition. Objectives: We present a case series of three patients with VSS taking mirtazapine, one of the most often prescribed antidepressants, and discuss the utility of antidepressants by reviewing our current understanding of pathophysiology and therapy. Results: Mirtazapine has no effect on VSS, neither positive nor negative. This is in line with the reports from the literature suggested only some beneficial effects from lamotrigine. Conclusions: Since the pathophysiology of VSS is not fully understood, we still rely on the reports of individual cases or patient series. This includes not only the positive, but also the negative results to avoid unnecessary treatment trials. Looking into the literature, antidepressants do not seem to be a solution for the visual symptoms. So far, best data exists for the anticonvulsant lamotrigine.

Pediatric Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS): A Case Series

2019 ◽  
pp. 249-254
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Ciuffreda ◽  
MH Esther Han ◽  
Barry Tannen
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Visual Condition ◽  
Visual Phenomena ◽  
Entire Visual Field ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Vision Therapy ◽  
Abnormal Visual

Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a relatively rare, unusual, and disturbing abnormal visual condition. The individual perceives “visual snow” (VS) throughout the entire visual field, as well as other abnormal visual phenomena (e.g., photopsia). Only relatively recently has treatment been proposed (e.g., chromatic filters) in adults with VSS, but rarely in the pediatric VSS population (i.e., medications). In this paper, we present three well-documented cases of VSS in children, including their successful neuro-optometric therapeutic interventions (i.e., chromatic filters and saccadic-based vision therapy)

The novel use of convalescent plasma in patients with COVID 19 in Basra governorate, Case series review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad Hammadi ◽  
Ali Hashim ◽  
Abbas Ali ◽  
Rafid Abbood ◽  
Hassanein Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Passive Immunity ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Plasma Donation ◽  
Patient Series

Background: The idea of convalescent plasma usage is to give passive immunity to the patients, so their immune system stands a good chance of combating the virus.this study will review 6 cases of eligible covid 19 patients that had been treated with convalescent plasma therapy in Basra covid 19 quarantine Objectives: to demonstrate efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in the patient series that had been enrolled . Method: this study had pioneered a new method to collect up to 3,000 mL in one session by an off-label use of Spectra Optia Apheresis systems by TerumoBCT /Exchange set to collect convalescent plasma. In this study 250 mL convalescent plasma had been given each of the 6 patients, from one donor. respose in spo2,dyspnoea and tachypnoea was observed ,any reaction to plasma also had been monitored . Result: Our case series have demonstrated both safety and effectiveness of convalescent plasma. This study was successful in reaching our primary and secondary outcomes in all 6 patients (improvement in SpO2 and symptoms). With negligible difference in time of post transfusion response Conclusion: convalescent plasma is apperantly safe and effective, In this study 250 mL convalescent plasma had been given each of the 6 patients, from one donor using Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) protocol by Spectra Optia Apheresis system/TerumoBCT. Keywords: convalescent plasma, COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, apheresis, plasma exchange, plasma donation

scholarly journals The underestimated issue of non-reproducible cardiac troponin I and T results: case series and systematic review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Favresse ◽  
Jean-Louis Bayart ◽  
Damien Gruson ◽  
Sergio Bernardini ◽  
Aldo Clerico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Cardiac troponins (cTn) are the preferred biomarkers for the evaluation of myocardial injury and play a key role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Pre-analytical or analytical issues and interferences affecting troponin T and I assays are therefore of major concern given the risk of misdiagnosis. False positive troponin results have been related to various interferences including anti-troponin antibodies, heterophilic antibodies, or elevated alkaline phosphatase level. On the other hand, false negative results have been reported in the case of a large biotin intake. These interferences are characterized with erroneous but reproducible troponin results. Of interest, non-reproducible results have also been reported in the literature. In other words, if the sample is reanalyzed a second time, a significant difference in troponin results will be observed. These interferences have been named “fliers” or “outliers”. Compared to the biotin interference that received major attention in the literature, troponin outliers are also able to induce harmful clinical consequences for the patient. Moreover, the prevalence of outliers in recent studies was found to be higher (0.28–0.57%) compared to the biotin interference. The aim of this systematic review is to warn clinicians about these non-reproducible results that may alter their clinical judgment. Four case reports that occurred in the Clinique of Saint-Luc Bouge are presented to attest this point. Moreover, we aimed at identifying the nature of these non-reproducible troponin results, determining their occurrence, and describing the best way for their identification.

Occipitoparietal alpha-band responses to the graded allocation of top-down spatial attention

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Dombrowe ◽  
Claus C. Hilgetag
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Alpha Band ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Entire Visual Field ◽  
Band Activity

The voluntary, top-down allocation of visual spatial attention has been linked to changes in the alpha-band of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal measured over occipital and parietal lobes. In the present study, we investigated how occipitoparietal alpha-band activity changes when people allocate their attentional resources in a graded fashion across the visual field. We asked participants to either completely shift their attention into one hemifield, to balance their attention equally across the entire visual field, or to attribute more attention to one-half of the visual field than to the other. As expected, we found that alpha-band amplitudes decreased stronger contralaterally than ipsilaterally to the attended side when attention was shifted completely. Alpha-band amplitudes decreased bilaterally when attention was balanced equally across the visual field. However, when participants allocated more attentional resources to one-half of the visual field, this was not reflected in the alpha-band amplitudes, which just decreased bilaterally. We found that the performance of the participants was more strongly reflected in the coherence between frontal and occipitoparietal brain regions. We conclude that low alpha-band amplitudes seem to be necessary for stimulus detection. Furthermore, complete shifts of attention are directly reflected in the lateralization of alpha-band amplitudes. In the present study, a gradual allocation of visual attention across the visual field was only indirectly reflected in the alpha-band activity over occipital and parietal cortexes.

scholarly journals Brightness Perception Throughout the Entire Visual Field

2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 258-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasuku Watanuki ◽  
Hiroshi Takahashi ◽  
Takashi Irikura
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Brightness Perception ◽  
Entire Visual Field

Mono-Unit Alar Rim Graft Technique for Tip-Alar Margin Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. NP588-NP596
Author(s):  
Shin Ae Kim ◽  
Yong Ju Jang
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Costal Cartilage ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Open Approach ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Patient Demographic Data ◽  
Patient Series ◽  
Alar Rim

Abstract Background The appropriate treatment of alar rim deformities, such as alar pinching or concavity, and soft triangle notching is essential for perfecting nasal aesthetics. Objectives The authors introduced the “mono-unit alar rim graft” technique as a treatment option for these abnormalities. Methods A case series of 29 rhinoplasties conducted by the senior author between May 2017 and June 2019 utilizing the mono-unit alar rim graft technique was retrospectively reviewed. The surgical technique involved an open approach with costal cartilage harvesting. The cortical portion of the harvested costal cartilage was sectioned into a 1-mm-thick strip and soaked with saline for about 15 minutes to let the natural warping occur. The curved cartilage graft was then trimmed, and the midportion was sutured to the tip in an onlay fashion. Both ends of the graft were housed in the vestibular pocket. Patient demographic data and pre- and postoperative facial photos were reviewed. Results Among the 29 cases analyzed, 14 (48.3%) were men and 15 (51.7%) were women. Ten (34.5%) patients had a preoperative parenthesis deformity, but a near-complete correction was achieved in 8 (80.0%) cases. An alar concavity from the basal view was found in 16 patients, 15 (93.8%) of whom had a partial or near-complete correction. Eleven patients had soft triangle notching, 9 (81.8%) of whom had a partial or near-complete correction. There were no technique-related complications in this patient series. Conclusions The mono-unit alar rim graft technique is a viable option for treating various alar rim deformities. Level of Evidence: 4

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