eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100491
Siobhan Mc Lernon , Daniel Frings , Louise Terry , Rob Simister , Simone Browning , Helen Burgess , Josenile Chua , Ugan Reddy , David J. Werring
{"title":"Doctors and nurses subjective predictions of 6-month outcome compared to actual 6-month outcome for adult patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in neurocritical care: An observational study","authors":"Siobhan Mc Lernon , Daniel Frings , Louise Terry , Rob Simister , Simone Browning , Helen Burgess , Josenile Chua , Ugan Reddy , David J. Werring","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Acute spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage is a devastating form of stroke. Prognostication after ICH may be influenced by clinicians' subjective opinions.</p></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>To evaluate subjective predictions of 6-month outcome by clinicians' for ICH patients in a neurocritical care using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and compare these to actual 6-month outcome.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>We included clinicians' predictions of 6-month outcome in the first 48 h for 52 adults with ICH and compared to actual 6-month outcome using descriptive statistics and multilevel binomial logistic regression.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>35/52 patients (66%) had a poor 6-month outcome (mRS 4–6); 19/52 (36%) had died. 324 predictions were included. For good (mRS 0–3) versus poor (mRS 4–6), outcome, accuracy of predictions was 68% and exact agreement 29%. mRS 6 and mRS 4 received the most correct predictions. Comparing job roles, predictions of death were underestimated, by doctors (12%) and nurses (13%) compared with actual mortality (36%). Predictions of vital status showed no significant difference between doctors and nurses: OR = 1.24 {CI; 0.50–3.05}; (<em>p</em> = 0.64) or good versus poor outcome: OR = 1.65 {CI; 0.98–2.79}; (<em>p</em> = 0.06). When predicted and actual 6-month outcome were compared, job role did not significantly relate to correct predictions of good versus poor outcome: OR = 1.13 {CI;0.67–1.90}; (<em>p</em> = 0.65) or for vital status: OR = 1.11 {CI; 0.47–2.61}; <em>p</em> = 0.81).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Early prognostication is challenging. Doctors and nurses were most likely to correctly predict poor outcome but tended to err on the side of optimism for mortality, suggesting an absence of clinical nihilism in relation to ICH.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 100491"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000497/pdfft?md5=668697b9042be93d195d306ff07d3c19&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000497-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139014361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100489
Nour Yaktine , Souha Fares , Samia J. Khoury , Hala Darwish
{"title":"Psychometric validation of the Arabic multiple sclerosis resiliency scale: Uncovering resilience factors in Lebanese MS patients for clinical and research advancements","authors":"Nour Yaktine , Souha Fares , Samia J. Khoury , Hala Darwish","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease that involves the central nervous system (CNS). Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may experience difficulty adapting to their diagnosis as the unpredictable nature of the disease can be challenging to cope with.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The purpose of this study is twofold. First, we have culturally adapted and analyzed the Arabic version of the Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale (MSRS) psychometric properties. Second, we aimed to explore resilience in a sample of Lebanese patients with MS in the face of the chronic disease and financial hardship that Lebanon is going through to evaluate their strengths and struggles. The sample consisted of 306 participants aged between 18 and 79 diagnosed with MS for at least one year.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>After examining criterion validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, the Arabic version of the MSRS exhibited good psychometric properties. The study also revealed that resilience increases with age and lower disability scores. Additionally, individuals with higher resilience levels displayed lower levels of depression. The research revealed that MS patients have high resilience, mainly relying on cognitive and emotional strategies, social support from family and friends, MS peer support, and spirituality.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>These findings highlight the importance of emotional coping strategies and social support in building resilience among MS patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 100489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000473/pdfft?md5=3cbe6ef7b2b0691605006801e3243c0d&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000473-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138557307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100488
Marine Isakadze , Benjamin Zwain , Alan J. Velander , Jesus Lovera
{"title":"Cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster virus coinfection-associated central hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's Curse)","authors":"Marine Isakadze , Benjamin Zwain , Alan J. Velander , Jesus Lovera","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Central hypoventilation syndrome (CHS) is a rare condition resulting from damage to the respiratory centers in the central nervous system (CNS). It can be congenital or acquired and can cause hypoventilation, inadequate gas exchange, and respiratory failure, often during sleep but sometimes even while awake. CHS can lead to respiratory failure and life-threatening complications if not identified promptly. In this report, we present a rare case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who developed CHS likely due to an opportunistic infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV), manifesting as a lesion in the medullary respiratory nuclei. After treatment with ganciclovir, the patient showed clinical improvement, and his medullary lesion resolved.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 100488"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000461/pdfft?md5=f7cd12bec41eb0be25d911e20c97797f&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000461-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138467987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100486
Ahmed Dheyaa Al-Obaidi , Ali Tarik Abdulwahid , Mustafa Najah Al-Obaidi , Abeer Mundher Ali , Hashim Talib Hashim
{"title":"Dandy-Walker syndrome associated with a giant occipital meningocele: A case report and a literature review","authors":"Ahmed Dheyaa Al-Obaidi , Ali Tarik Abdulwahid , Mustafa Najah Al-Obaidi , Abeer Mundher Ali , Hashim Talib Hashim","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100486","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Dandy-Walker malformation or syndrome is the most common posterior fossa malformation. It is commonly associated with other congenital anomalies such as cardiac defects; however, association with a giant occipital meningocele is extremely rare, as only around 34 cases have been described.</p></div><div><h3>Case description</h3><p>We report a case of a 2-month-old female infant who presented with a midline, gigantic mass in the back of the head. It was first discovered on a prenatal ultrasound. The mass measured about 15 × 5 cm, extending to the midback, not changing in size with crying, not attached to the back, and with a positive transillumination test. The diagnosis was confirmed after doing a brain computed tomography, which revealed hypoplasia of the vermis with an enlarged posterior fossa as well as cystic dilation of both ventricles with herniation through a bone defect.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Our case highlights a rare association between giant occipital meningocele and Dandy-Walker syndrome that is rarely discussed or reported in the medical literature. By reporting this extremely rare case of Dandy-Walker syndrome associated with a giant occipital meningocele, we hope to contribute to the creation of a database for future research so that a management protocol can be established for use by clinicians and neurosurgeons for better management of the condition.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000448/pdfft?md5=d37f48d5dcaa9395468d3f063403ef63&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000448-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136695596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neurological complications after COVID-19: A narrative review","authors":"Ghazale Molaverdi , Zahra Kamal , Mahshid Safavi , Arman Shafiee , Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani , Mohadeseh Zarei Ghobadi , Mahdi Goudarzvand","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100485","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>COVID-19 is primarily classified as a respiratory disorder; however, various neurological symptoms have been reported in COVID-19 patients. Neurological manifestations may be the initial signs of COVID-19 and can develop in patients of different age groups and with or without underlying disease. COVID-19 causes a broad range of complications in the central nervous system. These include headaches, altered mental status, dizziness, seizures, cerebrovascular events, encephalitis, and other encephalopathies. Moreover, a broad spectrum of peripheral nervous system symptoms such as olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, neuropathy, visual impairments, neuralgia, cranial nerves palsy, and muscle involvement could manifest as symptoms. Despite various efforts, the exact pathogenesis of the COVID-19 neurological complications has not been clarified yet. Moreover, the reason for the development of neurological manifestation in only some COVID-19 patients has not been determined. This review focuses on the different neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19 and the possible pathological mechanisms hoping to provide new insights for diagnosis, therapies, or other forms of intervention.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000436/pdfft?md5=bfb4e61b386836425c719cc09ca0deb9&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000436-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138423348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical characteristics of motor functional neurological disorder manifesting as limb weakness after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019: A case series","authors":"Masayuki Ohira , Takashi Osada , Hiroaki Kimura , Terunori Sano , Masaki Takao","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The characteristics of functional limb weakness (FLW) as one of the manifestations of functional neurological disorder after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain controversial.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In this descriptive case series, we aimed to elucidate the characteristics of Japanese patients with FLW who claimed muscle weakness after COVID-19 vaccination among patients who visited our outpatient clinic between 1 June 2021 and 31 December 2022.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Nine patients were diagnosed with FLW (mean age: 30.8 years), including two men and seven women. Seven patients were vaccinated with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine and two with the mRNA-1273 Moderna vaccine. All patients demonstrated various positive signs for FLW. Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography indicated no abnormality that could explain their symptoms. At the time of the clinic visit, five patients were treated for psychiatric disorders, including depression, insomnia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Asperger's syndrome. Muscle weakness spread to the limbs beyond the vaccinated arm in seven patients.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>We describe the basic characteristics of FLW in Japanese patients after COVID-19 vaccination. Further recognition of these characteristics could aid the diagnosis of FLW by physicians allowing them to support these patients effectively.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100487"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240565022300045X/pdfft?md5=7d59b81bb9345123f114001e07040a49&pid=1-s2.0-S240565022300045X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134832068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100484
Fazal Abdulaziz Yakub , Jasmit Shah , Dilraj Singh Sokhi
{"title":"High acceptability, convenience and reduced carbon emissions of tele-neurology outpatient services at a regional referral centre in Kenya","authors":"Fazal Abdulaziz Yakub , Jasmit Shah , Dilraj Singh Sokhi","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>There is severe shortage of neurologists in sub-Saharan Africa. Tele-neurology consultations (TNC) can bridge this service gap, but there is very little published evidence on TNC in our setting, which we addressed through our study.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We prospectively enrolled patients at our neurology outpatients from October 2020 to October 2021. We administered a post-TNC questionnaire which captured satisfaction/acceptability using Likert scales. A sub-group of participants who also did in-person consultations (IPC) were additionally administered post-IPC questionnaires. Statistical comparisons were made using the paired student <em>t</em>-test, and descriptive data expressed as median (inter-quartile range).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>From 219 enrolled patients, 66.7% participants responded: 74.0% had both IPC and TNC; 63.0% were female; age was 40.9 (30.6–55.2) years; and 2.7% were from neighbouring countries. The commonest presentations were headache (30.8%), seizures (26.0%) and neurodegenerative disorders (15.1%). For TNC, >90% found it: (i) as comfortable as IPC (<em>p</em> = 0.35); (ii) didn't violate their privacy; (iii) saved time [3.0 (2.0–4.0) hours], travel [11.0 (7.2–21.1) km] and cost [$9.09 (4.55–18.18)]; and (iv) addressed their concerns satisfactorily such that they would use TNC again. Conversely, 15.1% didn't agree with TNC being as effective as IPC, and felt the neurologist did not satisfactorily identify all of their health problems (<em>p</em> = 0.03). In total, our TNC service saved our patients $6167, 1143 h, and 25,506 km of travel, translating to 3.5 t (equivalent to 21 newly-planted trees) of carbon dioxide emissions.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Our study demonstrates that TNC is an acceptable, efficient, effective, and environmentally-sustainable care delivery model.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100484"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000424/pdfft?md5=921be3f233c78a51fbb538f6f9607f04&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000424-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135610547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100483
Ifeoma Uchenna Onwuakagba , Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye , Favour Chidera Kanu , Chukwuemeka Michael Kalu , Daniel Chidubem Akaeme , Ogochukwu Charity Obaji , Christopher Olusanjo Akosile
{"title":"Population-based stroke risk profile from a West-African community","authors":"Ifeoma Uchenna Onwuakagba , Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye , Favour Chidera Kanu , Chukwuemeka Michael Kalu , Daniel Chidubem Akaeme , Ogochukwu Charity Obaji , Christopher Olusanjo Akosile","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>To determine the stroke risk profile of dwellers of Nnewi community in Nigeria.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This was a cross-sectional survey involving consecutively recruited community-dwelling adults without a previous history of stroke. The Modified Framingham Stroke Risk Score (MFSRS) was used to evaluate the stroke risk profile of the participants. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at an alpha level of 0.05.</p></div><div><h3>Result</h3><p>310 individuals (mean age = 37.21 ± 15.84 years; 68.7% females) participated in this study. The mean MFSRS (6.79 ± 5.21) of the participants was minimal with 16% having a moderate-to-high risk. Dyslipidaemia (100.0%), meat (88.1%) and sugar (70.6%) consumption, hypertension (37.7%), physical inactivity (43.2%), and psychological stress (41.3%) were the most prevalent risk factors in the population. Participants' MFSRS significantly and positively correlated with their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) and significantly differed across their gender, educational, and occupational categories (<em>p</em> < 0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>According to MFSRS, the risk of stroke among the sampled community was minimal and was significantly influenced by their BMI, WC, WHR, gender, education, and occupation. However, results revealed that stroke risk might be higher in the population than was depicted by the MFSRS. Enlightenment on the risk of stroke is needed in the community.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100483"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405650223000412/pdfft?md5=2117bd84ebb18b59b3994a37eafa2b47&pid=1-s2.0-S2405650223000412-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"92043024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
eNeurologicalSciPub Date : 2023-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100481
Jiwon Yang, Yeong-Bae Lee, Hyeon-Mi Park
{"title":"MRI-negative myelitis associated with MOG-IgG antibody: A case report and literature reviews","authors":"Jiwon Yang, Yeong-Bae Lee, Hyeon-Mi Park","doi":"10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>According to few case reports, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease (MOGAD) could present as myelitis subtype with normal spine MRI, though it is rare. Herein, we report a case of clinically myelitis but MRI was normal, with strongly positive anti-MOG-IgG antibody in the sera. The patient showed a rapid improvement following a high dose methylprednisolone treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37974,"journal":{"name":"eNeurologicalSci","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 100481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50201440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}