Insular and Amygdala Origin Seizures: Unmasked with Electrocorticography (ECOG)

Insular and Amygdala Origin Seizures: Unmasked with Electrocorticography (ECOG) Introduction: Insula and amygdala have a large network of connections to other cortical regions. Seizures originating from these structures may become evident only after propagation to other structures. High degree of attention must be paid to auras and seizure semiology in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Methodology: We have described a series of three adult male patients with focal intractable epilepsy who did not have structural lesions on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients underwent MRI, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, scalp electroencephalography (EEG), and stereo EEG implantation. Results: All three patients were found to have seizures originating from deeper structures with two having insular origins while the third patient had amygdala origin. Results with Individual ECOG data are described in the table and figures. Conclusion: Scalp EEG may not be adequate to determine seizures originating from deeper structures, which potentially contributes to delayed diagnosis. Focusing on patients\u27 auras and semiology in these cases was found to be impactful in epileptic zone localization

Endoscopic Choroid Plexus Coagulation in Infants with Hydranencephaly or Hydrocephalus with a Minimal Cortical Mantle

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background/Aims:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; This study evaluates endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation, in conjunction with third ventriculostomy when technically feasible, as a strategy to treat patients with hydranencephaly or hydrocephalus with a minimal cortical mantle. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; We retrospectively reviewed patients with hydranencephaly (n = 4) or hydrocephalus with the cortical mantle &lt;1 cm in maximal thickness (n = 4) who underwent endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation from 2007 to 2010. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed simultaneously when technically feasible (in 3 of 8 patients). Endoscopic management was considered successful if a shunt was not subsequently required. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Endoscopic management was successful in 4 of 8 patients (50%) who did not require a shunt over a median follow-up period of 15 months (range 2.5–24). Four patients (50%) failed endoscopic management and required a shunt 1 month to 11 weeks after endoscopic surgery. One patient died 4 days after shunt placement due to pneumonia and renal failure. Three of 4 patients who had a successful endoscopic procedure ultimately died of causes that were likely unrelated to hydrocephalus (pneumonia in 2 patients and sudden infant death syndrome in 1 patient). Besides failure to control hydrocephalus adequately in 4 patients, there were no additional complications noted after endoscopic surgeries. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation can enable some infants with hydranencephaly or massive hydrocephalus to avoid a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.</jats:p

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity

Object The aim of this study was to determine the role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) in the management of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity (PHHP) and to analyze which factors affect patient outcomes. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 27 premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephalus treated with ETV and CPC from 2008 to 2011. All patients were evaluated using MRI before the procedure to verify the anatomical feasibility of ETV/CPC. Endoscopic treatment included third ventriculostomy, septostomy, and bilateral CPC. After ETV/CPC, all patients underwent follow-up for a period of 6–40 months (mean 16.2 months). The procedure was considered a failure if the patient subsequently required a shunt. The following factors were analyzed to determine a relationship to patient outcomes: gestational age at birth, corrected age and weight at surgery, timing of surgery after birth, grade of IVH, the status of the prepontine cistern and cerebral aqueduct on MRI, need for a ventricular access device prior to the endoscopic procedure, and scarring of the prepontine cistern noted at surgery. Results Seventeen (63%) of 27 patients required a shunt after ETV/CPC, and 10 patients did not require further CSF diversion. Several factors studied were associated with a higher rate of ETV/CPC failure: Grade IV hemorrhage, weight 3 kg or less and age younger than 3 months at the time of surgery, need for reservoir placement, and presence of a normal cerebral aqueduct. Two factors were found to be statistically significant: the patient's corrected gestational age of less than 0 weeks at surgery and a narrow prepontine cistern on MRI. The majority (83%) of ETV/CPC failures occurred in the first 3 months after the procedure. None of the patients had a complication directly related to the procedure. Conclusions Endoscopic third ventriculostomy/CPC is a safe initial procedure for hydrocephalus in premature infants with IVH and hydrocephalus, obviating the need for a shunt in selected patients. Even though the success rate is low (37%), the lower rate of complications in comparison with shunt treatment may justify this procedure in the initial management of hydrocephalus. As several of the studied factors have shown influence on the outcome, patient selection based on these observations might increase the success rate.</jats:sec

Mechanical Thrombectomy of Large Vessel Occlusions in COVID-19 Related Stroke: Endovascular and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract Background and PurposeStroke is a drastic complication and a poor prognostic marker of COVID-19 disease which emphasizes the importance of early identification and management of this complication. In this case series, we describe our experience of mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusions (LVO) in patients with COVID-19.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of a series of confirmed COVID-19 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy for acute cerebrovascular ischemic disease with large vessel occlusion. Patient demographics, presentations, lab values, angiographic and clinical outcomes were also reviewed.ResultsThree COVID-19 patients with large vessel occlusion who underwent endovascular thrombectomy were identified in our multi-center institution. Two patients had respiratory symptoms prior presentation and one patient presented initially with clinical deficits. Two patients had anterior circulation occlusion in the middle cerebral artery territory vs one had posterior circulation occlusion in the basilar artery. There was good angiographic outcome post thrombectomy in all patients, however poor clinical outcomes noted with no significant improvement in neurological manifestations in comparison with baseline at presentation. All patients developed critically severe symptoms during hospitalization requiring intubation and one patient died of COVID-19 related respiratory failure.ConclusionIn this small case series, we noted worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19 related LVO stroke despite effective thrombectomy, which may be related to the underlying COVID-19 disease and/or the nature of clot in these patients.</jats:p

Intradural extramedullary spinal metastases from uterine carcinosarcoma: A case report

Background: In recent years, improvements in oncological care have led to an increased incidence of intradural extramedullary spinal metastases (IESMs) attributed to uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). When such lesions occur, they typically carry a poor prognosis. Here, we have evaluated newer treatments, management strategies, and outcomes for IESM due to UCS. Case Description: A 59-year-old female with a history of recurrent UCS presented with the new onset of the left lower extremity pain, numbness, and episodic urinary incontinence. When the MR revealed an enhancing intradural extramedullary mass posterior to the L1 vertebral body, she underwent a focal decompressive laminectomy. Although she improved neurologically postoperatively, she succumbed to the leptomeningeal spread of her disease within 2 postoperative months. Conclusion: Management of IESM due to UCS requires multifaceted, individualized treatment modalities, including neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and medical oncologic management to maximize outcomes. </jats:sec

Cervical spondylodiscitis caused by <i>Candida albicans</i> in a non-immunocompromised patient: A case report and review of literature

Background: Fungal cervical spondylodiscitis is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis. Case Description: A 32-year-old non-immunocompromised male presented with persistent neck pain and paresthesias. The magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a contrast-enhancing erosive lesion involving the cervical C6 and C7 vertebral bodies accompanied by epidural phlegmon. Blood culture was negative. The patient underwent a C6 and C7 anterior corpectomy with instrumented fusion (e.g., expandable cage C5 to T1). Intraoperatively, frank pus was noted within the C6-C7 disc space and was accompanied by thick prevertebral and epidural phlegmon extending from C5 to T1. Intraoperative cultures grew Candida albicans. Three days later, a C6-C7 laminectomy with C4-T2 posterior instrumented fusion was performed; the cultures again grew C. albicans. The patient was treated with intravenous micafungin for 14 days followed by 6–12 months of 400 mg oral fluconazole daily. Conclusion: There are few cases in literature where non-immunocompromised patients developed fungal cervical spondylodiscitis. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are critical to effectively treat these patients. Surgical intervention may warrant corpectomy, discectomy, and operative debridement followed by long-term targeted antifungal therapy. </jats:sec

Descriptive Analysis of Acute Ischemic Stroke in COVID-19 Patients Through The Course Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). Here, we characterize our institutional experience with management of COVID-19 and AIS. Baseline demographics, clinical, imaging, and outcomes data were determined in patients with COVID-19 and AIS presenting within March 2020 thru October 2020, and November 2020 thru August 2021, based on institutional COVID-19 hospitalization volume. Of 2512 COVID-19 patients, 35 (1.39%, mean age 63.3 years, 54% women) had AIS. AIS recognition was frequently delayed after COVID-19 symptoms (median 19.5 days). Four patients (31%) were on therapeutic anticoagulation at AIS recognition. AIS mechanism was undetermined or due to multiple etiologies in most cases (n=20, 57%). Three patients underwent IV TPA, and three underwent mechanical thrombectomy, of which two suffered re-occlusion. Three patients had incomplete mRNA vaccination course. Fourteen (40%) died with 26 (74%) having poor outcomes. Critical COVID-19 severity was associated with worsened mortality (p=0.02). More patients (12/16; 75%) had either worsening or similar 3-month functional outcomes, than those with improvement, indicating the devastating impact of co-existing AIS and COVID-19. Comparative analysis showed that patients in the later cohort had earlier AIS presentation, less stroke risk factors, more comprehensive workup, more defined stroke mechanisms, less instance of critical COVID-19 severity, more utilization of IV TPA, and a trend towards worse outcomes for the sub-group of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 severity. AIS incidence, NIHSS, and overall outcomes were similar. Further studies should investigate outcomes beyond 3 months and their predictive factors, impact of completed vaccination course, and access to neurologic care

Dural-Based Cavernoma of the Posterior Cranial Fossa Mimicking a Meningioma: A Case Report

Cavernous angiomas usually occur in the parenchyma of both the supra and infratentorial compartments. At times, they can both clinically and radiologically mimic other dural-based lesions. We present a case of a patient with chronic occipital headaches, initially thought to have a meningioma, but proven to be a cavernoma with histological analysis