A sürgősségi osztályon szédüléses panaszokkal megjelent betegek életminőségének vizsgálata

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A szédülés gyakori panasz, amellyel a betegek felkeresik a sürgősségi osztályt. Emellett fontos tünet, hiszen kihívást jelent mind a diagnosztika, mind a terápia szempontjából, és nagy hatással lehet a betegek életminőségére. Célkitűzés: Kutatásunk célja annak vizsgálata, hogy mennyire befolyásolta a szédülés a betegek életminőségét a sürgősségi osztály elhagyását követően. Módszer: A vizsgálat időtartama alatt 879, szédülést panaszoló beteg jelent meg a Semmelweis Egyetem sürgősségi osztályán. Részükre kérdőív került kiküldésre, amely tartalmazta a ’Dizziness Handicap Inventory’ (DHI-) kérdőívet is. Megkeresésünkre 308 beteg (110 férfi, 198 nő; átlagéletkor: 61,8 ± 12,31 SD) válaszolt, az általuk visszaküldött kérdőíveket részletesen elemeztük. Eredmények: A leggyakoribb diagnózisok közé a benignus paroxysmalis positionalis vertigo, a centrális egyensúlyrendszeri eltérések és a szédülékenység tartoztak. Az elemzés alapján különbség volt látható a fizikális, a funkcionális és az emocionális pontszámok között. Kiemelendő, hogy a legmagasabb értékeket a fizikális csoportban regisztráltuk. A részletes otoneurológiai kivizsgáláson átesett betegek DHI-értékeit összevetettük azokéival, akik nem jártak ilyen vizsgálaton, a két csoport értékei között azonban nem volt szignifikáns különbség (p = 0,97). Emellett a DHI-érték emelkedése volt látható a végleges diagnózisig eltelt idő függvényében. Következtetés: A végleges diagnózisig eltelt idő, illetve a megfelelő kivizsgálás hiánya jelentős hatással van a szédülő betegek életminőségére. Lényeges a kivizsgálás, a mielőbbi diagnózis és a részletes egyensúlyrendszeri vizsgálat szerepe, ugyanakkor az utóbbi indokolt esetben kell, hogy történjen. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(30): 1216–1221. Summary. Introduction: Dizziness and vertigo are among the most common complaints in the emergency department. This may require interdisciplinary cooperation due to their complex presentation in the department and the effects on the patients’ quality of life. Objective: Our study aimed to assess the effect of an acute vertigo episode on the quality of life after patients’ discharge from the emergency department. Method: 879 patients examined at the Semmelweis University emergency department with vertigo and dizziness were included in the study. A questionnaire, including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), was addressed to this population. We received 308 answered questionnaires back (110 males, 198 females; mean age 61.8 years ± 12.31 SD), which were further analyzed. Results: The most frequent diagnoses were benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, central lesions and dizziness. According to the analysis of the DHI questionnaire, a difference between physical, functional and emotional scores was shown, whereas the highest scores were registered in the physical group. The DHI questionnaire scores of patients undergoing a neurotological examination and those who did not were further compared, whereas no significant statistical difference was indicated (p = 0.97). In addition, an increase in DHI scores was seen depending on the time elapse for the definitive diagnosis. Conclusion: The absence of adequate examination and a late diagnosis of the dizziness cause have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Therefore, substantial investigation, early diagnosis, and detailed vestibular examination are essential, but the latter should take place in justified cases. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(30): 1216–1221.

Case Report: Bilateral Palsy of the Vocal Cords After COVID-19 Infection

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse neurological effects have been described. In addition to unspecific neurological symptoms, cranial nerve deficits have appeared as part of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this case report, we describe a 74-year-old patient who developed bilateral paralysis of the vocal cords some weeks following his dismissal in stable condition after COVID-19 pneumonia. After ruling out central lesions, peripheral tumors, and other possible causes, therapy was initiated with methylprednisolone, inhalations, and oxygen. The patient showed no improvement, so laterofixation after Lichtenberger was performed. The dyspnea worsened after several weeks, so a laser posterior cordectomy was performed with satisfactory outcome.

Case Report: Behavioral Unresponsiveness in Acute COVID-19 Patients: The Utility of the Motor Behavior Tool-Revised and 18F-FDG PET/CT

Along with the propagation of COVID-19, emerging evidence reveals significant neurological manifestations in severely infected COVID-19 patients. Among these patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), behavioral unresponsiveness may occur frequently, yet, there are still only a few cases reported and with rare descriptions of their motor behavior after pathological awakening. Several hypotheses regarding central lesions in these patients are conceivable. Here, we describe two acute SARS-CoV-2- infected patients who developed neurological symptoms evoking the condition of clinical cognitive motor dissociation (CMD). This diagnosis could be confirmed first by clinical observation of a dissociation between preserved cognitive abilities and lack of initial motor interaction and second, by performing 18F- FDG PET imaging. Accurate diagnosis led to an appropriate neuro-rehabilitation regimen with long-term neuro-rehabilitation leading to an improved outcome for both patients.

Trigeminal Ophthalmic Branch Schwannoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Schwannomas are the fourth most common primary neoplasms affecting the brain and cranial nerves. Central lesions commonly arise from sensory nerve roots, and a common intracranial site is the vestibular branch of the 8th nerve (>85%). We present the case report of a patient who has a schwannoma extending from the pterygopalatine fossa to the orbit, complaining about facial pain in the trajectory of the trigeminal ophthalmic branch. Schwannomas represent 1 to 2% of all neoplasms of the orbit, and trigeminal schwannomas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of all intracranial tumors.

Confusion, dissociation and bizarre behaviour as the onset of an early Susac syndrome

A 47-year-old woman presented an episode of confusion and disorientation. According to remarkable psychiatric records, she had been treated for major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder; however, no other relevant background was known. After preliminary examinations, blood analysis and neurological tests were unspecific and inconclusive. Therefore, the case was treated as a possible psychiatric episode related to her previous psychiatric disorders. However, due to the atypical presentation of the case, a cerebral MRI was performed, which demonstrated multiple central lesions of the corpus callosum (‘snowball lesions’), as well as several supratentorial white matter lesions. As a result of the follow-up of the case, sensorineural hearing loss and branch retinal artery were detected, which concluded in the classic triad and the confirmation of the diagnosis of a Susac syndrome.

Hamartoma and Benign Tumor-like Lesions

Pulmonary hamartomas are benign neoplasms comprised of various mesenchymal components. The presence of chondroid calcification (popcorn appearance) and/or macroscopic fat can be diagnostic of hamartoma. Very slow growth is an expected finding. Treatment of pulmonary hamartoma is usually conservative. Surgical resection can be considered if the CT findings are nondiagnostic, if biopsy is inconclusive, or if the lesion demonstrates rapid growth. Surgery should also be considered in patients with central lesions and postobstructive atelectasis or infection. Hamartomas account for the majority of benign lung neoplasms. Other benign neoplasms occurring in the lungs and airways include lipoma, chondroma, and leiomyoma and are very rare. If a pulmonary chondroma is diagnosed, additional investigation should be considered to exclude concurrent leiomyosarcoma and extraadrenal paraganglioma (Carney Triad).