Identification of Carotid Artery Microstructure and Plaque Rupture Using C-Arm Cone-Beam CT: A Case Report

C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers a high imaging resolution with a wide range of contrast to visualize vessels, soft tissue, and bone. We report the usefulness of CBCT in observing neovascularization, microcalcification, and plaque rupture. A 56-year-old man presented with vertigo and complain of an unsteady gait for 5 months. Catheter angiography demonstrated right severe carotid stenosis with irregular filling defect, which on high-resolution MRI showed vessel wall enhancement. The CBCT showed high density structures and linear contrast enhancement from the vascular lumen to the plaque, related to microstructure and plaque rupture. Carotid endarterectomy was performed, and histopathology confirmed that the high-density areas represented neovascularization and microcalcification, with linear enhancement representing plaque rupture. This is the first report showing that microcalcifications and plaque rupture can be identified by CBCT. Thus, CBCT can be used as a promising supplement to current imaging modalities to evaluate plaque components more accurately.

COVID-19-associated encephalitis or Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease: a case report

Background: Accurate diagnosis and management of patients with rapidly progressive dementia may be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively influenced the diagnostic performances, medical resource allocation and routine care for all non-COVID-19 diseases. Case Presentation: We herein present a case of a 57‐year‐old male with rapidly progressive cognitive decline, headache, diplopia, myalgia, unsteady gait, aggression, depression, insomnia, hallucinations and delusions of persecution. COVID-19-associated encephalitis was briefly considered as a differential diagnosis. However, this hypothesis was rejected upon further investigation. A final diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease was made. Conclusion: A timely and accurate diagnosis of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease gives patients and their families the chance to receive a good standard of healthcare and avoid extensive evaluations for other conditions.

Identification and Conformation of Bromadiolone Using HPLC and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Rodenticides of warfarin group are mainly consisting of bromadiolone(3-(3-(4′-bromobiphenyl-4-yl)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin), 3-bromofuran, zinc phosphide etc., having different chemical composition which are frequently used for attempting suicide, perpetrating homicide, accidental inhalation of human being while baiting rats, birds, rabbits in agricultural fields. Bromadiolone, strong and long-acting rodenticide, having anticoagulant properties and also acting as antagonist by disrupting the normal blood clotting mechanisms to vitamin-K, required for blood clotting, and increasing the bleeding tendency in rodents has been taken for finding its reaction mechanisms with different solvent media. The main symptoms of the bromadiolone rodenticides are dizziness, unsteady gait, and abnormal behavior. In the present study, we focused to determine the presence of Bromadiolone in ppm level using HPLC, the reaction mechanism of functional groups (ketone, alcohol, phenol) present in the bromadiolone under the solvent media such as H2O and HCl. The software, Avogadro, has been used to dynamically simulate the Bromadiolone for calculating its optimum energy and to conform the molecular structure under the influence of the water molecule. The reaction mechanism of functional groups in the bromadiolonecombined with the MD simulations may through light to reveal the enzymes activity in damaging the central nervous system which led to fatal.

Ventral cervico-thoracic meningeal cyst resulting in myelopathy: Case report and literature review

Background: Spinal meningeal (dural) cysts rarely cause spinal cord compression and/or myelopathy. Case Description: A 38-year-old male presented with 6 weeks of worsening bilateral lower extremity paresthesias and an unsteady gait. Notably, the patient was involved in a snowmobile accident 7 years ago that resulted in trauma to his thoracic spine for which he had undergone a corpectomy and posterior fusion. A full spine MRI was obtained to evaluate his new paresthesias and myelopathy, which revealed a large extra-axial fluid collection consistent with a meningeal cyst extending from C2 to T4. This caused severe spinal cord compression, maximal at the T1-3 level. The patient underwent a T1-3 laminectomy initially accompanied by partial cyst resection/ drainage, but ultimately he returned and required a subsequent cystoperitoneal shunt. Following the final surgery, the patient’s symptoms gradually resolved over 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Spinal meningeal cysts rarely cause back pain and/or neurological symptoms. MRI is the diagnostic study of choice for defining this entity. Operative intervention must be tailored to the symptoms, location, extent, and type of the cyst. If cysts recur after partial resection and drainage, cystoperitoneal shunt placement is warranted.

An analysis of the risk factors for falls, recurrent falls, and fall-related injuries among the elderly in senior Chinese apartments: a cross-sectional study

Objective Falls, recurrent falls, and fall-related injuries among the elderly are severe problems that seriously threaten the quality of life and health in old age. However, there are few studies on fall risks among the elderly living in senior apartments in China. Our study aims to investigate the factors and differences in falls, recurrent falls, and fall-related injuries among these elderly residents, providing a reference for screening those with high fall risks. Method Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted on 331 older adults over 65 years of age living in four senior apartments. We performed comparative analyses on the results of fall events with two separate criteria (falls vs. no falls; number of falls ≤ 1 and without injury vs. fall-related injuries or number of falls ≥ 2). Several significant variables were involved in a logistic model for regression analysis. Results Falls, recurrent falls, and fall-related injuries among the elderly in senior apartments were independently associated with gender (female), urinary incontinence/frequency, and conscious unsteady gait. Furthermore, fall risks increased with age and the number of risk factors. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the fall risk prediction model were 0.749, 82.4%, and 57.1%, respectively. Conclusions Falls among the elderly in senior apartments are affected by several factors. Female elderly with urinary incontinence/frequency and conscious unsteady gait should be prioritized for fall prevention interventions.

Fenestration of intracranial neurenteric cyst: A case report

Background: Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions of endodermal origin which result from the failure of the neurenteric canal to close during embryogenesis. The majority of neurenteric cysts occur in the spinal cord, though in rare instances can occur intracranially, typically in the posterior fossa anterior to the pontomedullary junction (80%) or in the supratentorial region adjacent to the frontal lobes (20%). Case Description: We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with an extra-axial cystic lesion centered in the premedullary cistern causing brainstem compression. The lesion was later histopathologically confirmed to be a neurenteric cyst. She presented initially with a 4-month history of worsening headache, dizziness, and unsteady gait. We performed a left retrosigmoid craniotomy for cyst fenestration/biopsy with the aid of operating microscope and stealth neuronavigation. Following the procedure, the patient recovered without complications or residual deficits. Conclusion: This case illustrates the successful fenestration of an intracranial neurenteric cyst with good clinical outcome. We present the pre- and post-operative imaging findings, a technical video of the procedure, histopathological confirmation, and a brief review of the relevant clinical literature on the topic.

A Case of Miller-Fisher Syndrome with Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone

We report a 72-year-old woman with Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). She developed diplopia and unsteady gait a week after an upper respiratory infection. Neurologic examination revealed ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, symmetrical weakness, numbness, and areflexia. She underwent intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Her serum sodium concentration decreased to 119 mEq/L on day 12. She had low plasma osmolarity (254 mosm/kg), high urine osmolarity (457 mosm/kg), and high urine sodium level (73 mEq/L), while the blood level of antidiuretic hormone was normal. Anti-GD1b immunoglobulin G (IgG), -GQ1b IgG, -GT1a IgG, and -Gal-C IgM antibodies were positive. We diagnosed her with MFS overlapping with SIADH. Four weeks after onset, her symptoms recovered. The elevation of anti-GD1b, -GQ1b, and -GT1a antibodies that recognize disialosyl residue may be pathologically related to SIADH.

837 Narcolepsy in a toddler

Introduction Narcolepsy is a central disorder of hypersomnia with a bimodal peak incidence at ages 15 and 35. Onset in early childhood has been reported, but rarely under the age of 5. We present a case of Narcolepsy Type 1 in a 2.5-year-old with dropping spells. Report of case(s) A 2.5-year-old African American healthy male presented with acute onset sudden drops, unsteady gait, and staring spells. These episodes lasted a few seconds, occurred multiple times a day, and were associated with eye fluttering and dysarthric speech. History was notable for increased daytime sleep/sleep attacks, disrupted nocturnal sleep with confusional arousals, nightmares and sleepwalking, weight gain and mood instability with aggressive behavior. No preceding head injury or illness. Physical examination demonstrated frequent atonic episodes with loss of deep tendon reflexes. A clinical suspicion of myoclonic/atonic epilepsy prompted video- electroencephalogram (EEG) which showed frequent bursts of generalized intermittent slowing representative of NREM 1 sleep lasting several seconds. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and infectious workup was unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Orexin was <50 pg/mL. While 76–98% of patients with narcolepsy type-1 have HLADQB1*06:02, our patient tested negative. Due to lack of MSLT validity at this age, only diagnostic PSG was performed which showed REM without atonia and sleep fragmentation. Prior to sleep onset, cataplexy was observed in the patient while laughing, though EMG tone was relatively preserved during this episode. We had limited treatment options considering lack of FDA approved medications for ages less than 7. A helmet was prescribed to prevent head injury. Methylphenidate 5mg/day improved sleepiness and slightly stabilized mood. For cataplexy, neither Fluoxetine nor Imipramine helped. His mother disapproved further medication trials. Continuing methylphenidate, the family was referred to behavior psychology for support, coping with the diagnosis and behavioral changes. Conclusion This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of Narcolepsy Type 1 in a toddler initially thought to have epilepsy. Video-EEG and low CSF orexin led to the diagnosis. His age, severity of cataplexy, mood changes, and parental concerns made treatment challenging. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of early recognition of Narcolepsy in young children to provide appropriate treatment during critical developmental stages. Support (if any):

Restrictive diet in a patient with irritable bowel syndrome leading to Wernicke encephalopathy

Background We present a case of a woman with a past medical history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety, who presents with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and memory loss, characteristic of Wernicke encephalopathy. Case presentation A 64-year-old woman presented with double vision, unsteady gait and memory loss. These symptoms began after 3 months on an unfortified restricted diet, which she initiated to alleviate IBS symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated hyperintense T2-weighted signal in the dorsomedial aspect of bilateral thalami, periaqueductal grey matter and around the third ventricle. The patient’s visual symptoms improved significantly after thiamine supplementation, although her memory deficits persisted. Conclusion Although WE is often associated with chronic alcohol abuse, this case demonstrates the importance of recognizing WE in any patient with a restricted diet and subsequent timely initiation of thiamine.