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Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) and paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are both rare groups of neurological diseases that are difficult to diagnose.We aimed to determine the common and distinct aspects of these two aetiologies of encephalitis as well as the characteristics of our patient group.We respectively analysed the records of the patients including symptoms, demographic features, neurological examination, cranial-magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) findings, cerebrospinal fluid results (CSF) findings. Autoimmune/paraneoplastic autoantibodies in blood and/or CSF were all documented.Forty-six patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria. Thirty-eight of them were diagnosed with AIE, and 8 of them were diagnosed with PNS. The PNS group had higher nonconvulsive status epilepticus than the AIE (2/8 vs 0/38; p=0.027). PNS patients were diagnosed with a malignancy in their follow-ups more than those in the AIE group [4/38 vs 8/8] (p0.001). When the symptoms of antibody-positive and negative patients were compared in the AIE group, the rates of consciousness/memory problems (13/15 vs 11/23; p=0.020) and speech impairment (8/15 vs 2/23; p=0.004) were significantly higher in patients without antibodies (n: 15) than in antibody-positive patients (n: 23). In antibody-negative groups, the rates of memory problems in neurological examination (13/15 vs 12/23 p=0.028) and temporal findings on electroencephalography were more prominent than antibody-positive groups (1/23 vs 5/15; p=0.027). The number of patients with cerebellar signs was higher in antibody-positive patients (6/23 vs 0/15; p=0.038).Although the positivity of autoantibodies is critical in the diagnosis of AIE and PNS, even minor differences in clinical and laboratory findings of patients are helpful in the diagnosis, especially in the autoantibody-negative patients. Comparing the data with other population studies has shown that several inherited and environmental factors may contribute to the pathophysiology of AIE and PNS, as well as clinical and laboratory differences.

The objective of our study was to provide a comparative assessment of previously reported magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in primary and secondary pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) patients, to examine their diagnostic contribution, and to evaluate their association with symptoms, neuro-ophthalmological findings, laboratory results, and cerebrospinal fluid characteristics. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with PTC were included in the study. Age- and sex-matched 20 individuals with normal neurologic examination served as the control group. Modified Dandy Criteria were used for the diagnosis of PTC. Orbital and cranial MRI and MR venography of all patients and controls were assessed by three radiologists. According to our study, posterior flattening of the globe (64% sensitive, 100% specific), optic nerve sheath distention (46% sensitive, 100% specific), vertical tortuosity of the optic nerve (30% sensitive, 95% specific), and partial empty sella (43% sensitive, 100% specific) emerged as particularly valuable markers for a diagnosis of PTC.

Objective. Comparison of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. The primary outcome was to compare perioperative and postoperative (48 hours) opioid consumption. Methods. A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups (N =30): an ESPB group and an SAPB group. All the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia and ibuprofen 400 mg intravenously every eight hours. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events were recorded. Results. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption at 0-8, 8-16, and 16-24 hours and rescue analgesic use were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P< 0.05). Static/dynamic VAS scores were significantly lower in the ESPB group (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between static VAS scores at the fourth hour. There were no differences between adverse effects. Block procedure time and one-time puncture success were similar between groups (P > 0.05 each). Conclusion. US-guided ESPB may provide better pain control than SAPB after VATS. Question. Even though there are studies about analgesia management after VATS, clinicians want to perform the technique that is both less invasive and more effective. Findings. This randomized trial showed that US-guided ESPB provides effective analgesia compared with SAPB. Meaning. Performing single-injection ESPB reduces VAS scores and opioid consumption compared with SAPB.