scholarly journals Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Associated with COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Author(s):  
Thaís de Maria Frota Vasconcelos ◽  
Paulo Ribeiro Nóbrega ◽  
Glauber de Menezes Ferreira ◽  
Moysés Loiola Ponte de Souza ◽  
Alander Sobreira Vanderlei ◽  
...  

Abstract COVID-19 is a pandemic disease responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide. Many neurological manifestations have been described. We report a case of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) two months after acute COVID19 infection, in a patient without other risk factors. A 45-year-old male patient presented an 8-month history of progressive gait disorder and cognitive impairment after being hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compatible with NPH. A spinal tap test was positive and there was progressive improvement after shunting, with complete resolution of symptoms. Other infections such Syphilis, cryptococcosis and Lyme disease have been associated with NPH. Possible mechanisms for NPH after COVID include disruption of choroid plexus cells by direct viral invasion or as a result of neuroinflammation and cytokine release and hypercoagulability leading to venous congestion and abnormalities of CSF flow. Given the significance of NPH as a cause of reversible dementia, it is important to consider the possibility of a causal association with COVID19 and understand the mechanisms behind this association.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans C. Ludwig ◽  
Hans C. Bock ◽  
Jutta Gärtner ◽  
Stina Schiller ◽  
Jens Frahm ◽  
...  

AbstractNew experimental and clinical findings question the historic view of hydrocephalus and its 100-year-old classification. In particular, real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and detailed insights into brain water regulation on the molecular scale indicate the existence of at least three main mechanisms that determine the dynamics of neurofluids: (1) inspiration is a major driving force; (2) adequate filling of brain ventricles by balanced CSF upsurge is sensed by cilia; and (3) the perivascular glial network connects the ependymal surface to the pericapillary Virchow–Robin spaces. Hitherto, these aspects have not been considered a common physiologic framework, improving knowledge and therapy for severe disorders of normal-pressure and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, spontaneous intracranial hypotension, and spaceflight disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Asad Naqvi ◽  
Timothy Ariyanayagam ◽  
Mir Akber Ali ◽  
Akhila Rachakonda ◽  
Hema N. Choudur

Objective: The objective of this study was to outline a novel unique concept of secondary impingement of the muscles, myotendons, and tendons of the rotator cuff from hypertrophy as a result of strength training exercises. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 58 patients were referred for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by the orthopedic surgeon to the radiology department over a period of 1½ years. All patients gave a history of strength training exercises and presented with clinical features of rotator cuff impingement. Results: We identified features of hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles, myotendons, and tendons in 12 of these 58 patients. This was the only abnormality on MRI. The hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles and tendon bulk completely filling the subacromial space to the point of overfilling and resulting in secondary compressive features. Conclusion: Rotator cuff impingement is a common phenomenon that can occur with various inlet and outlet pathological conditions. However, rotator cuff impingement may also result from muscle and tendon hypertrophy from strength training regimens. Hypertrophy of the rotator cuff can result in overfilling of the subacromial space, leading to secondary impingement, which we have termed as “pseudo-impingement.”


Author(s):  
Hongzhang Zhu ◽  
Shi-Ting Feng ◽  
Xingqi Zhang ◽  
Zunfu Ke ◽  
Ruixi Zeng ◽  
...  

Background: Cutis Verticis Gyrata (CVG) is a rare skin disease caused by overgrowth of the scalp, presenting as cerebriform folds and wrinkles. CVG can be classified into two forms: primary (essential and non-essential) and secondary. The primary non-essential form is often associated with neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities, while the primary essential form occurs without associated comorbidities. Discussion: We report on a rare case of primary essential CVG with a 4-year history of normal-colored scalp skin mass in the parietal-occipital region without symptom in a 34-year-old male patient, retrospectively summarizing his pathological and Computer Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The major clinical observations on the CT and MR sectional images include a thickened dermis and excessive growth of the scalp, forming the characteristic scalp folds. With the help of CT and MRI Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques, the characteristic skin changes could be displayed intuitively, providing more evidence for a diagnosis of CVG. At the 5-year followup, there were no obvious changes in the lesion. Conclusion: Based on our observations, we propose that not all patients with primary essential CVG need surgical intervention, and continuous clinical observation should be an appropriate therapy for those in stable condition.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Rydja ◽  
Andreas Eleftheriou ◽  
Fredrik Lundin

Abstract Background The cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSF TT) is used for selecting shunt surgery candidates among patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the CSF TT, by using the Hellström iNPH scale for shunted iNPH patients with a standardized method. Methods One hundred and sixteen shunt-operated iNPH patients were retrospectively included in this study. The gait and balance domains in the iNPH scale were used as outcome measures for the CSF TT and the total iNPH scale score as the postoperative outcome. A positive response to CSF TT was defined as a change of ≥ 5 points in the gait domain and ≥ 16 points in the balance domain. Differences between CSF TT responders and non-responders, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and correlations between changes from baseline to post CSF TT and from baseline to the postoperative follow-up, were calculated. Results In the CSF TT there were 63.8% responders in the gait domain and correspondingly 44.3% in the balance domain. CSF TT responders had a significantly better postoperative outcome in the total scale score (gait P ≤ 0.001, balance P ≤ 0.012) and gait CSF TT responders improved more in gait (P ≤ 0.001) and balance CSF TT responders in balance (P ≤ 0.001). No differences between CSF TT gait or balance responders could be found in neuropsychological or urinary continence assessments postoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of the CSF TT and the outcome of the total iNPH scale score postoperatively were 68.1% and 52.0% for gait and 47.8% and 68.0% for balance, respectively. Conclusions The CSF TT, with the Hellström iNPH scale as the outcome measure, has clear limitations in predicting postoperative results. The gait domain may be used to predict outcomes for gait, but the balance domain is too insensitive.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. NP1-NP4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuri Jacoby ◽  
Ulrike Kaunzner ◽  
Marc Dinkin ◽  
Joseph Safdieh

This is a case of a 52-year-old man with a past medical history of 2 episodes of coital thunderclap headaches as well as recent cocaine, marijuana, and pseudoephedrine use, who presented with sudden, sharp, posterior headache associated with photophobia and phonophobia. His initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head, and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the head were all normal as well as a normal lumbar puncture. Given the multiple risk factors for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), the patient was treated for suspected RCVS, despite the normal imaging. Repeat MRI brain 3 days after hospital admission demonstrated confluent white matter T2 hyperintensities most prominent in the occipital lobes, typical of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Repeat MRA of the head 1 day after discharge and 4 days after the abnormal MRI brain showed multisegment narrowing of multiple arteries. This case demonstrates that RCVS may present with PRES on MRI brain and also exemplifies the need to treat suspected RCVS even if imaging is normal, as abnormalities in both the MRI and the MRA may be delayed.


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