Neurological manifestations and neuroimaging findings in patients with SARS-CoV2—a systematic review

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected everyone in a hit or miss manner. Since it began, evidence of the neuro-invasive potential of the virus has been intensifying significantly. Several pathways have been hypothesized to elucidate the neurotropic nature of SARS-CoV2. It is the need of the hour to collect vital information. Objective To evaluate and correlate the neuro-radiological and neurological manifestations in patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV2. To identify neuro-invasive pathways of COVID infection. Methods Relevant studies were identified through four databases—the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science. These were searched using relevant keywords—“COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV2,” “neurological manifestations,” “neuroimaging,” “CT,” and “MRI.” Relevant articles were screened according to a pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria from December 2019 to August 2020. Results Our review included a total of 63 full text publications with 584 patients, composed mainly of observational studies, case reports, and case series. The most common neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 were altered mental status, stroke, and paralysis. About 17.85% patients who underwent neuroimaging were found to be having ischemic changes suggestive of a stroke. This was followed by hemorrhagic changes as the second most common finding. The most commonly involved vessel was the Middle Cerebral Artery. Besides stroke, we found that SARS-CoV2 could be the cause for new-onset seizures, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, encephalitis, and many other severe neurological diseases. Conclusion The information that we have obtained so far will prove dynamic to healthcare providers working against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to be aware of these atypical neurological findings for the early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 infected patients. However, to completely understand the connection between SARS-CoV2 and the nervous system, further research is necessary.

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Neurological symptoms, manifestations, and complications associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)

Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1007/s00415-021-10406-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Biyan Nathanael Harapan ◽

Hyeon Joo Yoo

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Altered Mental Status ◽

Neurological Complications ◽

Neurological Symptoms ◽

Neurological Manifestations ◽

Fisher Syndrome ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, is responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a challenging world issue. Although most COVID-19 patients primarily develop respiratory symptoms, an increasing number of neurological symptoms and manifestations associated with COVID-19 have been observed. In this narrative review, we elaborate on proposed neurotropic mechanisms and various neurological symptoms, manifestations, and complications of COVID-19 reported in the present literature. For this purpose, a review of all current published literature (studies, case reports, case series, reviews, editorials, and other articles) was conducted and neurological sequelae of COVID-19 were summarized. Essential and common neurological symptoms including gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions, myalgia, headache, altered mental status, confusion, delirium, and dizziness are presented separately in sections. Moreover, neurological manifestations and complications that are of great concern such as stroke, cerebral (sinus) venous thrombosis, seizures, meningoencephalitis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Miller Fisher syndrome, acute myelitis, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) are also addressed systematically. Future studies that examine the impact of neurological symptoms and manifestations on the course of the disease are needed to further clarify and assess the link between neurological complications and the clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19. To limit long-term consequences, it is crucial that healthcare professionals can early detect possible neurological symptoms and are well versed in the increasingly common neurological manifestations and complications of COVID-19.

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The Coexistence of Psoriasis and Vitiligo: A review

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/120347541201600505 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 300-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Michael Sawchuk ◽

Frank Spano ◽

Wei Jing Loo ◽

Lyn Guenther

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Nous Avons ◽

English Language ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Trigger Factors ◽

Background Population ◽

The Cochrane Library

Background: Psoriasis and vitiligo are both autoimmune diseases with an increased incidence noted in genetic relatives. They share similar trigger factors and have been observed to coexist in individuals. Objective: The purpose was to review the literature on the coexistence of psoriasis and vitiligo and to determine if there is a higher than expected prevalence of psoriasis in patients with vitiligo and vice versa. Methods: A literature review was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from 1968 to 2010. All articles that included reports of individuals with both psoriasis and vitiligo in the English language were documented. Results: We identified 338 articles, among which 35 case reports and 7 case series were mentioned. For each case series, the prevalence of psoriasis in patients with vitiligo, or vice versa, falls within the prevalence range of the background population on which the study was based. Conclusion: An increase in the expected prevalence of psoriasis in individuals with vitiligo, or vice versa, was not found in our study, suggesting that the coexistence of the two diseases appears to be due to chance alone. Large epidemiologic studies are required to address with certainty whether psoriasis is more common in individuals with vitiligo and vice versa. Renseignements de base: Le psoriasis et le vitiligo sont deux affections auto-immunes qui ont une incidence accrue observée chez les membres de la famille apparentée. Ils partagent des facteurs déclencheurs similaires, et des études ont démontré leur coexistence chez les personnes. Objectif: Le but était de faire une analyse documentaire sur la coexistence du psoriasis et du vitiligo et de déterminer s'il y a une prévalence plus élevée que prévu du psoriasis chez les patients atteints de vitiligo et vice versa. Méthodes: Une analyse documentaire a été effectuée en utilisant Medline, EMBASE, et la Cochrane Library de 1968 à 2010. Tous les articles comportant des rapports sur des personnes souffrant à la fois de psoriasis et de vitiligo rédigés en anglais ont été documentés. Résultats: Nous avons trouvé 338 articles, parmi lesquels 35 exposés de cas et 7 séries de cas ont été mentionnés. Pour chaque série de cas, la prévalence du psoriasis chez les patients atteints de vitiligo, ou vice versa, s'inscrit dans la fourchette de prévalence de la population de base qui a fait l'objet de l'étude. Conclusion: Notre étude n'a pas démontré une augmentation de la prévalence de psoriasis attendue chez les personnes atteintes de vitiligo, ou vice versa, ce qui suggère que la coexistence des deux affections semble être due au seul hasard. D'importantes études épidémiologiques sont nécessaires pour démontrer avec certitude que le psoriasis est plus fréquent chez les personnes atteintes de vitiligo et vice versa.

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Monitoring nociception and awareness during palliative sedation: A systematic review

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/02692163211022943 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921632110229

Author(s):

Nathalie Dieudonné Rahm ◽

Ghizlaine Morawska ◽

Sophie Pautex ◽

Nadia Elia

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Palliative Sedation ◽

Patient Comfort ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Poor Correlation ◽

Level Of Consciousness ◽

Core Elements ◽

The Cochrane Library

Background: Providing unawareness and pain relief are core elements of palliative sedation. In addition to clinical scales, nociception and electroencephalogram-based depth of sedation monitoring are used to assess the level of consciousness and analgesia during sedation in intensive care units and during procedures. Aim: To determine whether reported devices impact the outcomes of palliative sedation. Design: Systematic review and narrative synthesis of research published between January 2000 and December 2020. Data sources: Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, CENTRAL, and the Cochrane Library. All reports describing the use of any monitoring device to assess the level of consciousness or analgesia during palliative sedation were screened for inclusion. Data concerning safety and efficacy were extracted. Patient comfort was the primary outcome of interest. Articles reporting sedation but that did not meet guidelines of the European Association for Palliative Care were excluded. Results: Six reports of five studies were identified. Four of these were case series and two were case reports. Together, these six reports involved a total of 67 sedated adults. Methodological quality was assessed fair to good. Medication regimens were adjusted to bispectral index monitoring values in two studies, which found poor correlation between monitoring values and observational scores. In another study, high nociception index values, representing absence of pain, were used to detect opioid overdosing. Relatives and caregivers found the procedures feasible and acceptable.

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Treatment of Laryngoceles: What Is the Progress over the Last Two Decades?

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/819453 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Karol Zelenik ◽

Lucia Stanikova ◽

Katarina Smatanova ◽

Michal Cerny ◽

Pavel Kominek

Keyword(s):

Case Reports ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

External Approach ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Cochrane Library

Objectives. To review surgical techniques used in the treatment of laryngoceles over the last two decades and point out developments and trends.Materials and Methods. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the JBI Library of Systematic Reviews were searched using the term “laryngocele.” Demographic data, type of laryngocele, presence of a laryngopyocele, type of treatment and need for a tracheotomy were assessed.Results. Overall, data on 86 patients were analyzed, culled from 50 articles, of which 41 were case reports and 9 were case series. No single systematic review or meta-analysis or randomized controlled trial has been published on the topic. Altogether, 71 laryngoceles in 63 patients met the criteria for further analysis focusing on surgical treatment. An external approach was selected in 25/29 (86.2%) cases of combined laryngoceles. Microlaryngoscopic resection using a CO2laser was performed in three cases and endoscopic robotic surgery in one case. The majority of patients with an internal laryngocele, 31/42 (73.8%), were treated using the microlaryngoscopy approach.Conclusions. Microlaryngoscopy involving the use of a CO2laser has become the main therapeutic procedure for the treatment of internal laryngoceles during the past 20 years. An external approach still remains the main therapeutic approach for the treatment of combined laryngoceles.

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Neurological manifestations and implications of COVID-19 pandemic

Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders ◽

10.1177/1756286420932036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 175628642093203 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽

Lina Palaiodimou ◽

Aristeidis H. Katsanos ◽

Valeria Caso ◽

Martin Köhrmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Care Delivery ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Neurological Complications ◽

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

Neurological Manifestations ◽

Stroke Risk Factor

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China and rapidly spread worldwide, with a vast majority of confirmed cases presenting with respiratory symptoms. Potential neurological manifestations and their pathophysiological mechanisms have not been thoroughly established. In this narrative review, we sought to present the neurological manifestations associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case reports, case series, editorials, reviews, case-control and cohort studies were evaluated, and relevant information was abstracted. Various reports of neurological manifestations of previous coronavirus epidemics provide a roadmap regarding potential neurological complications of COVID-19, due to many shared characteristics between these viruses and SARS-CoV-2. Studies from the current pandemic are accumulating and report COVID-19 patients presenting with dizziness, headache, myalgias, hypogeusia and hyposmia, but also with more serious manifestations including polyneuropathy, myositis, cerebrovascular diseases, encephalitis and encephalopathy. However, discrimination between causal relationship and incidental comorbidity is often difficult. Severe COVID-19 shares common risk factors with cerebrovascular diseases, and it is currently unclear whether the infection per se represents an independent stroke risk factor. Regardless of any direct or indirect neurological manifestations, the COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the management of neurological patients, whether infected or not. In particular, the majority of stroke services worldwide have been negatively influenced in terms of care delivery and fear to access healthcare services. The effect on healthcare quality in the field of other neurological diseases is additionally evaluated.

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Cryptococcosis complicating diabetes mellitus: a scoping review

Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease ◽

10.1177/20499361211014769 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 204993612110147

Author(s):

Lauryn Nsenga ◽

Jonathan Kajjimu ◽

Ronald Olum ◽

Sandra Ninsiima ◽

Andrew Peter Kyazze ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Single Case ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Cryptococcal Disease ◽

Language Restriction ◽

Antigen Tests ◽

The Cochrane Library

Background: A better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptococcal infection in HIV-negative individuals is an international research interest. Immune dysfunction in diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases the risk of acquiring and reactivation of infection due to Cryptococcus neoformans. Risk factors and outcomes of cryptococcosis in DM are not well documented. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cryptococcal infections in persons living with DM. Methods: MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched in November 2020. The searches covered the period between 1980 and 2020.We included studies that reported confirmed cryptococcosis in patients with DM. Reference lists of included articles were also searched, and additional studies were included if appropriate. No language restriction was applied. Single case reports, case series and original articles were included whereas review articles were excluded. Results: A total of 28 studies (24 single case reports, 4 retrospectives) were included involving 47 unique patients from Asia (17 cases), North America (six cases), South America (three cases) and Africa (two cases). Men constituted 75% ( n = 18) of the cases. Median age was 60.5 (range: 27–79) years. The majority of the patients had cryptococcal meningitis (68.1%, n = 32) followed by disseminated cryptococcosis (6.4%, n = 7), and others (isolated cutaneous disease one, peritonitis one, pleural one, thyroid one, adrenal one). Diagnosis was achieved through either culture and microscopy (38/47), cryptococcal antigen tests (9/47) or histopathology (9/47) singly or in a combination. All-cause mortality was 38.3% ( n = 18). Among those with meningitis mortality was 36.2%. Conclusion: A wide spectrum of cryptococcal infections with varying severity occurs in DM. Mortality remains unacceptably high. There is a need for more studies to characterize better cryptococcal disease in DM.

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Efficacy and safety of urate-lowering therapy in people with kidney impairment: a GCAN-initiated literature review

Rheumatology Advances in Practice ◽

10.1093/rap/rkaa073 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hamish Farquhar ◽

Ana B Vargas-Santos ◽

Huai Leng Pisaniello ◽

Mark Fisher ◽

Catherine Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Function ◽

Renal Impairment ◽

Case Reports ◽

Serum Urate ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Studies ◽

Kidney Impairment ◽

The Cochrane Library ◽

Study Designs ◽

Different Levels

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the efficacy, defined as achieving target serum urate <6.0 mg/dl, and safety of urate-lowering therapies (ULT) for people with gout and CKD stages 3–5. Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, were searched from 1 January 1959 to 31 January 2018 for studies that enrolled people with gout, who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or creatinine clearance (CrCl) of < 60 mL/min, and exposure to allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, benzbromarone, lesinurad or pegloticase. All study designs other than case reports were included, except for people on dialysis, for which we did include case reports. Results There were 36 reports with an analysis of efficacy and/or safety based upon renal function – allopurinol (n = 12), febuxostat (n = 10), probenecid (n = 3), benzbromarone (n = 5), lesinurad (n = 5), and pegloticase (n = 1). There were 108 reports that involved people with gout and renal impairment but did not contain any analysis on efficacy and/or safety based upon renal function – allopurinol (n = 84), febuxostat (n = 14), benzbromarone (n = 1), lesinurad (n = 3), and pegloticase (n = 6). Most studies excluded people with more severe degrees of renal impairment (eGFR or CrCl of < 30mL/min). For allopurinol in particular, there was significant variability in the dose of drug used, and efficacy in terms of urate lowering, across all levels of renal impairment. Conclusion There is a lack of evidence regarding efficacy and/or safety of currently used ULT according to different levels of renal function. Future studies should include patients with CKD and should report study outcomes stratified by renal function.

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Should COVID-19 Mother Breastfeed her Newborn Child? A Literature Review on the Safety of Breastfeeding for Pregnant Women with COVID-19

Current Nutrition Reports ◽

10.1007/s13668-020-00343-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Harshil Bhatt

Keyword(s):

Direct Contact ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Case Reports ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Case Series ◽

Limited Evidence ◽

Her Family ◽

Viral Antibodies ◽

Newborn Child ◽

Droplet Transmission

Abstract Purpose of Review Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the newborn and the mother. During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised on whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus could be transmitted from COVID-19 positive mother to the newborn through breastmilk. The purpose of this review is to examine the available evidence on the risks of transmission of infection from COVID-19 mothers to their newborns through breastfeeding. Recent Findings Data is very limited in this regard, with only a few smaller case series, and case reports have been published so far. In most of the studies, breastmilk samples from COVID-19 mothers tested negative for the virus. In the case reports where the virus was detected in breastmilk and the infants were diagnosed with COVID-19, it remained unclear whether the disease was transmitted through breastmilk or direct contact or through delivery. Another hypothesis is that the viral antibodies could pass to the newborn passively through breastmilk of COVID-19 positive mothers and give immunity to the child, but data is minimal. Summary Based on the currently available limited evidence and recognizing the benefits of breastfeeding, it may be concluded that if the health of the mother and her newborn allows, direct breastfeeding or extracted breastmilk should be encouraged by the healthcare providers after a careful discussion of the risks of vertical transmission to the mother and her family. Preventive measures should be taken by COVID-19 mothers to prevent droplet transmission of infection to the infants while breastfeeding.

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Gout in the Axial Skeleton

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.080374 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 609-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

RUKMINI M. KONATALAPALLI ◽

PAUL J. DEMARCO ◽

JAMES S. JELINEK ◽

MARK MURPHEY ◽

MICHAEL GIBSON ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Facet Joint ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Lumbar Vertebrae ◽

Axial Skeleton ◽

Ct Images ◽

Common Finding ◽

Appendicular Skeleton ◽

Pars Interarticularis ◽

A Prospective Study

Objective.Gout typically affects the peripheral joints of the appendicular skeleton and rarely involves the axial joints. The literature on axial gout is limited to case reports and case series. This preliminary study was conducted to identify the frequency and characteristics of axial gout.Methods.Six hundred thirty medical records with ICD codes 274.0, 274.82, and 274.9 for peripheral gout were reviewed. Ninety-two patients had clinical or crystal-proven gout, of which 64 had prior computed tomography (CT) images of the spine performed for various medical reasons. These CT images were reviewed for features of axial gout, which include vertebral erosions mainly at the discovertebral junction and the facet joints, deposits of tophi, and erosions in the vertebral body, epidural space, ligamentum flavum and pars interarticularis.Results.Nine of the 64 patients had radiographic changes suggestive of axial gout. Lumbar vertebrae were most commonly involved, with facet joint erosions being the most common finding. Isolated involvement of the sacroiliac joints was seen in 2 patients. Axial gout had been diagnosed clinically in only one patient.Conclusion.Radiologic changes of axial gout were more common than recognized clinically, with a frequency of 14%. Since not all patients had CT images, it is possible that the frequency of axial involvement was even greater. A prospective study is needed to further define this process.

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Neonatal and Pediatric Pressure Injuries Secondary to Limb Splinting for Intravascular Access: Case Series and Literature Review

Journal of the Association for Vascular Access ◽

10.1016/j.java.2018.04.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 108-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyrie A. Sweeney ◽

Kate Cogill ◽

Katrina Davis ◽

Jacqueline I. Jauncey-Cooke

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Case Series ◽

Decubitus Ulcer ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Decubitus Ulcers ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Pressure Injury ◽

The Cochrane Library

Abstract Aim: This review aims to present a case series on pressure injury (PI) formation secondary to limb-splinting for preservation of peripheral intravascular catheter (PIVC) access in neonatal and pediatric patients. A literature review was undertaken to analyze the existing knowledge base on this phenomenon. Background: Medical devices and attachments are considered a risk factor for PI development in neonates, infants, and children. Three cases of PI formation caused by contact with limb boards used to preserve PIVC access were identified in an Australian tertiary pediatric facility during 2016. Methods: A literature search was conducted during December 2017 using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Excerpta Medica database, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Keywords used were pressure injury(ies), pressure ulcer, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcer, and decubitus ulcers. Articles were excluded if published before 2006, patients were adolescents or adults, and if injuries were not caused by PIVC-associated limb-splinting. Patients included in the case series were identified through screening of admissions in one ward of a tertiary paediatric hospital. Results: Five low-quality studies were included in the literature review. Three children were included in the case series. Each child acquired a PI subsequent to limb-splinting and taping adjacent to a PIVC. Hydration, nutritional state, and oxygenation did not appear to contribute to PI development in these cases. Conclusions: There is a gap in the evidence base pertaining to PIVC splinting and its involvement with PI formation in neonates, infants, and children. The existing literature provides low-quality evidence this problem exists; thus, further research is recommended.

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