Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy: description of two clinical cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 116-121
Author(s):  
T.I. Nehrych ◽  
◽  
M.B. Kopchak ◽  
S.Ya. Kyryliuk ◽  
◽  
...  

Aim. To study the features of the clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy based on clinical cases. Materials and Methods. Clinical cases of chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy in two men are presented. The patients underwent neurological and ophthalmological examination, laboratory blood tests, testing of cerebrospinal fluid, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord, perimetry, ophtalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, ultrasound examination of internal organs and of the branches of the aortic arch, and chest radiography. Results and Discussion. Two cases of chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy were described in two men aged 44 and 22 years. Episodes of recurrent optic neuritis, both unilateral and bilateral, were observed in patients; their vision improved after corticosteroid therapy. No etiological factors or comorbidities capable of causing the condition were identified. The older patient had 8 attacks of recurrent optic neuritis, with complete recovery of vision after therapy in seven cases, and partial recovery after the last relapse . The 22-year-old patient endured 5 episodes without complete recovery of vision after treatment. Based on the diagnostic criteria of chronic recurrent inflammatory optic neuropathy, this diagnosis was suspected in the patients. Conclusions. Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy is a rare pathology whose clinical manifestations must meet diagnostic criteria. Patients with recurrent optic neuritis are to be well examined, in order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy. Clinical manifestations of chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy tend to regress and stabilize against a background of immunosuppressive therapy. Keywords: chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy, clinical cases

Author(s):  
A. R. Volkova ◽  
G. V. Semikova ◽  
M. E. Chernaya ◽  
E. N. Ostrouhova ◽  
A. V. Lisker ◽  
...  

In the practice of a doctor of any specialty, patients with hypercorticism – a syndrome of excess glucocorticoids level in the body – are not uncommon. Despite the fact that most of these patients have characteristic appearance and clinical manifestations, the correct diagnosis is often established months or even years after the first complaints.The objective of this article was to demonstrate the clinical cases of patients with hypercorticism of various genesis, as well as a short theoretical reference based on the National Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome (2016).


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
M. G. Bashlachev ◽  
G. Yu. Evzikov ◽  
V. A. Parfenov

Common peroneal neuropathy (CPN) is the most common tunnel neuropathy in the lower extremities, many issues of diagnosis and treatment of which require further study.Objective: to analyze the clinical manifestations of CPN, methods of its diagnosis and treatment results.Patients and methods. Eighty patients (31 women and 49 men) aged 18 to 82 years (mean age, 51 years) with compressive CPN were followed up during 2012–2018. Unilateral CPN and bilateral CPN were found in 76 and 4 patients, respectively. Eighty-four common peroneal nerve decompression operations were performed.Results and discussion. There was paralytic CPN in 73 (87%) surgical cases, painful CPN in 8 (9.5%), and intermittent CPN in 3 (3.5%). Diagnostic errors (when CPN was regarded as discogenic radiculopathy or lumbar stenosis) were noted in the painful and intermittent forms of the disease. After surgical treatment, complete recovery of peroneal nerve function was observed in 61 (72.6%) of the 84 surgical cases; its partial recovery in 15 (17.9%). Positive results were seen in all cases of painful and intermittent CPN, whereas they were more often observed in paralytic CPN if the operation was performed early (up to 12 months) after the onset of the disease.Conclusion. Common peroneal nerve decompression is an effective and safe therapeutic method that, in painful and intermittent CPN, leads to complete reversal of symptoms and, in the paralytic form of the disease, it is most effective in the early stages of the disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. e231442
Author(s):  
Diogo Hipolito-Fernandes ◽  
Maria Elisa-Luís ◽  
Miguel Trigo ◽  
Joana Tavares-Ferreira

Parainfectious optic neuritis is a very rare cause of acute vision loss. We present a case of a 51-year-old man with a recent upper respiratory tract infection, presumably of viral aetiology, who showed up with complains of painless right eye vision loss, followed by the same symptoms on the left eye 3 weeks later. Ophthalmological examination revealed optic disc swelling (sequential in severity) which was confirmed by optic disc imaging. The remaining evaluations (lumbar puncture, MRI, laboratory and genetic testing) were completely normal. Considering a postviral aetiology, 5-day intravenous methylprednisolone treatment was performed. Follow-up examinations revealed slight visual acuity and visual fields recovery, with subsequent optic disc atrophy and microcystic macular oedema, bilaterally. This case illustrates how important a correct clinical history is to guide a correct diagnosis and posterior management.


Author(s):  
Ann-Elin Meling Stokland ◽  
Anne Lise Dahle ◽  
Vidar Laurits Kloster ◽  
Torbjørn Nedrebø ◽  
Bjørn Gunnar Nedrebø

Summary Myxedema coma is an important differential diagnosis in critically ill patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount but challenging due to a lack of diagnostic criteria. We report a case about a patient who suffered from untreated hypothyroidism for several years. Before the correct diagnosis was made, he was admitted three times due to severe constipation. Eventually, he developed myxedema coma in connection with a urinary tract infection. The course was complicated by recurrent seizures, and neuroimaging showed bilateral hygromas. Hormone replacement therapy resulted in complete recovery and regression of hygromas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time hygroma is reported in association with myxedema coma. Learning points Myxedema coma is a difficult diagnosis to make due to a lack of diagnostic criteria. Cardinal features include hypothermia, bradycardia, gastrointestinal symptoms, pericardial/pleural effusions and affection of CNS. Anemia and hyponatremia are common. In case of suspected myxedema coma, neuroimaging should be a part of the evaluation in most cases. There is a possible association between longstanding/severe hypothyroidism and hygroma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Fernandez Alcalde ◽  
Maria Granados Fernandez ◽  
María Nieves Moreno ◽  
Susana Noval Martin

Abstract Purpose To investigate and describe ocular findings in COVID-19 paediatric patients. Methods A total of 17 COVID-19 patients aged between 0 and 17 years old were recruited at the Paediatric Hospital of La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain). A complete ophthalmological examination was performed in all patients. Results Of 17 patients, 50% had a known COVID-19 previous exposure. PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs was positive in 35.29%, whereas IgM and/or IgG serology tests were positive in 81%. Clinical manifestations were: 6 COVID-19associated Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS), 7 pneumonias and 2 cutaneous purpura and/or chilblains. Ocular findings were ocular hyperaemia (5 patients), as bilateral acute conjunctivitis (3 patients) or unilateral episcleritis (2 patients). Mean best corrected visual acuity was 1/1 in all tested cases. Only one patient, presenting unilateral optic neuritis, had visual symptoms as unilateral inferior temporal quadrantanopsy. Retinal involvement was found in one patient, where ocular fundus exam showed unilateral retinal vasculitis. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection could produce ocular pathology in children, frequently presented weeks after the acute phase of the disease. We should take into account COVID-19 when performing differential diagnosis of children presenting with conjunctivitis, episcleritis, retinal vasculitis and/or optic neuritis, meanwhile this world-wide pandemic lasts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Mohammad Enayet Hussain ◽  
Bithi Debnath ◽  
AFM Al Masum Khan ◽  
Md Ferdous Mian ◽  
Md Nahidul Islam ◽  
...  

Background: The visual evoked potentials (VEP) is a valuable tool to document occult lesions of the central visual channels especially within the optic nerve. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to observe the findings of first few cases of VEP done in the neurophysiology department of the National Institute of Neurosciences (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2017 to March 2020. All patients referred to the Neurophysiology Department of NINS for VEP were included. Pattern reversal VEPs were done using standard protocol set by International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). Results: The mean age of the study population was 30.70 (±12.11) years (6-68 years) with 31 (46.3%) male and 36 (53.7%) female patients. The mean duration of illness was 8.71 (±1.78) months (3 days- 120 months). Most common presenting symptom was blurring of vision (37.3%) and dimness of vision (32.8%). Patterned VEP revealed mixed type (both demyelinating and axonal) of abnormality in most cases [29(43.35)]. The most common clinical diagnosis was multiple sclerosis (29.85%) and optic neuropathy (26.87%). In the clinically suspected cases of multiple sclerosis, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis most of the cases of VEP were abnormal and the p value is 0.04 in optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. Conclusion: The commonest presentation of the patients in this series were blurring of vision and dimness of vision. The most common clinical diagnosis for which VEP was asked for, was optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. Most abnormalities were of mixed pattern (demyelinating and axonal). Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2020;6(2): 74-77


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 697-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. MacLean ◽  
Karim Mukhida ◽  
Jai J. S. Shankar ◽  
Matthias H. Schmidt ◽  
David B. Clarke

Transorbital penetration accounts for one-quarter of the penetrating head injuries (PHIs) in adults and half of those in children. Injuries that traverse (with complete penetration of) the brainstem are often fatal, with survivors rarely seen in clinical practice. Here, the authors describe the case of a 16-year-old male who suffered and recovered from an accidental transorbital PHI traversing the brainstem—the first case of complete neurological recovery following such injury. Neuroimaging captured the trajectory of the initial injury. A delayed-onset carotid cavernous fistula and the subsequent development of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms were managed by endovascular embolization.The authors also review the relevant literature. Sixteen cases of imaging-confirmed PHI traversing the brainstem have been reported, 14 involving the pons and 12 penetrating via the transorbital route. Management and outcome of PHI are informed by object velocity, material, entry point, trajectory, relationship to neurovascular structures, and the presence of a retained foreign body. Trauma resuscitation is followed by a careful neurological examination and appropriate neuroimaging. Ophthalmological examination is performed if transorbital penetration is suspected, as injuries may be occult; the potential for neurovascular complications highlights the value of angiography. The featured case shows that complete recovery is possible following injury that traverses the brainstem.


Author(s):  
Fedor Ermolyuk

Keratoconus is a dystrophic disease of the cornea, when it is thinned with the formation of a conus-like protrusion (protrusion of the cornea). This disease belongs to the group of keratectasia, it has a multifactorial nature and occurs in approximately 25 % of all corneal pathologies. The disease can be either primary, which is based on dystrophic changes in the cornea, or secondary, which develops against the background of prenatal keratitis. Keratoconus of iatrogenic origin, which develops as a result of refractive eye microsurgery, has become widespread during the last 20 years. Most often primary keratoconus manifests during puberty, progresses to 30–40 years, after which its development slows down. An early clinical manifestation of this corneal pathology is a progressive decrease in visual acuity, development of double vision (binocular diplopia) with the development of a strong headache against this background. Monocular polyopia — images and symbols with multiple contours — develops subsequently. Severe dry eyes, itching, photophobia appear in advanced stages. Diagnosis of keratoconus in some cases can be a significant difficulty, since the use of conventional research methods only allow to suspect refractive errors in the form of myopia or astigmatism. It is necessary to take into account the impossibility of correcting visual impairment using conventional methods — glasses or contact lenses — to make correct diagnosis. As a rule, diagnosis of keratoconus requires use of expanded spectrum of instrumental research methods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein A. Rahdar ◽  
Mansoor Kodori ◽  
Mohamad R. Salehi ◽  
Mahsa Doomanlou ◽  
Morteza Karami-Zarandi ◽  
...  

Background: Brucellosis, a major health problem in developing countries, is a multisystem infection with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Hematological complications, ranging from an intravascular coagulopathy to mild homeostasis disorders (such as gammopathy), have been reported in brucella infection. These signs and symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis of brucellosis with other hematological diseases. Case: A 65-year-old male whose occupation was shepherding was referred to our hospital as a known case of multiple myeloma with continuous fever, muscle weakness, and night sweating after taking 2 courses of chemotherapy. The laboratory diagnosis of multiple myeloma had been based on the observation of a high percent of plasma cells in the bone marrow aspiration. At follow- up, the result of patient's fever workup, with 2 sets of blood cultures, was positive for Brucella melitensis. Isolated brucella was confirmed as B. melitensis by 16S rRNA sequencing. Brucellosis serologic test was performed by agglutination test and positive results were obtained. The patient was discharged with the cessation of fever and general improvement after the end of the parental treatment phase of brucella bacteremia. Conclusions: Brucella infection may cause a severe disease, mimicking a primary hematological disease, which could complicate the correct diagnosis. In brucellosis cases, due to the wide range of symptoms, in addition to cultivation and serological methods, molecular methods should also be used to prevent inappropriate diagnosis and additional costs.


Author(s):  
Markus Braun ◽  
Doris Klingelhöfer ◽  
David A. Groneberg

AbstractIn the middle of the twentieth century, the from North America sooty bark disease (SBD) of maples was first discovered in England and has spread in the last decades in Central Europe, in particular. The trigger of SBD is the mould fungus Cryptostroma (C.) corticale. The most common infested maple is the sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus, a common tree in woods and parks. The disease is characterised by peeling of the outer layer of the bark and brownish-black spores under the peeled off bark. These spores can cause maple bark disease (MBD) in humans, a hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) with similar symptoms like COPD, allergic asthma, influenza or flu-like infections and interstitial pneumonia. Persons who have intensive respectively occupational contact with infested trees or wood, e.g., woodman, foresters, sawyers or paper mill workers, are at risk in particular. Since C. corticale favours hot summers and host trees weakened by drought, SBD will increasingly spread in the future due to ongoing climate change. Consequently, the risk of developing MBD will increase, too. As with all HPs, e.g., farmer’s lung and pigeon breeder’s disease, the diagnosis of MBD is intricate because it has no clear distinguishing characteristics compared to other interstitial lung diseases. Therefore, the establishment of consistent diagnosis guidelines is required. For correct diagnosis and successful therapy, multidisciplinary expertise including pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and occupational physicians is recommended. If MBD is diagnosed in time, the removal of the triggering fungus or the infested maple wood leads to complete recovery in most cases. Chronic HP can lead to lung fibrosis and a total loss of lung function culminating in death. HP and, thus, MBD, is a disease with a very high occupational amount. To avoid contact with spores of C. corticale, persons working on infested wood or trees have to wear personal protective equipment. To protect the public, areas with infested maples have to be cordoned off, and the trees should be removed. This is also for impeding further spreading of the spores.


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