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OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation is one of the major risk factors of ischemic stroke. Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has become the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. However, data regarding the impact of AF on the outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy are controversial. The aim of our study was to determine whether atrial fibrillation modifies the functional outcome of patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke receiving EVT. METHODS: We reviewed 273 eligible patients receiving EVT from January 2019 to January 2022 from 3 comprehensive Chinese stroke centers, of whom 221 patients were recruited. Demographics, clinical, radiological and treatment characteristics, safety outcomes, and functional outcomes were collected. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 at 90 days was defined as a good functional outcome. RESULTS: In our cohort, 79 patients (35.74%) were eventually found to have AF. Patients with AF were elder (70.08 ± 11.72 vs. 61.82 ± 13.48 years, p = 0.000) and less likely to be males (54.43 vs. 73.94%, p = 0.03). The significant reperfusion rate (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3) was 73.42 and 83.80% in patients with and without AF, respectively (p = 0.064). The good functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin scale: 0 to 2) rate was 39.24 and 44.37% in patients with and without AF, respectively (p = 0.460) after adjusting multiple confounding factors. There was no difference in the presence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage between the two groups (10.13 vs. 12.68%, p = 0.573). CONCLUSION: Despite their older age, AF patients achieved similar outcomes as non-AF patients with anterior circulation occlusion treated with endovascular therapy.

Belly dancer's dyskinesia (BDD) is characterized by involuntary abdominal wall movements that are rhythmic, repetitive, and dyskinetic. The present study aims to review BDD's etiology, pathophysiology, and management. We searched six databases to locate existing reports on BDD published from 1990 to October 2023 in electronic form. A total of 47 articles containing 59 cases were found. The majority of the patients affected by BDD were female, accounting for 61.01% (36/59) of the cases. The mean and median ages were 49.8 (standard deviation: 21.85) and 52 years (range: 7-85), respectively. The BDD was unilateral in only 3.38% (2/59). The most commonly reported causes associated with BDD were 17 idiopathic, 11 drug-induced, 11 postsurgical procedures, 5 pregnancies, and 4 Vitamin B12 deficiencies. BDD is a diagnosis of exclusion, and other more common pathologies with similar presentation should be ruled out initially. Differential diagnostic reasoning should include diaphragmatic myoclonus, cardiac conditions, truncal dystonia, abdominal motor seizures, propriospinal myoclonus, and functional or psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 24-year-old male with blepharophimosis, psychomotor retardation, brachycephaly, microstomia, immobile face, high arched palate, single palmar crease, kyphoscoliosis, talipes equinovarus, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis, recurrent infections, bilateral camptodactyly, wide-set eyes, decreased muscle mass, hypotonia, exotropia, and ptosis in the left eye, growth retardation, multiple congenital contractures, and hyporreflexia. Contractures improved with aging, but intellectual disability and blepharophimosis remained. He also presented epilepsy, outbursts of laughter, and predisposition to drug adverse effects (skin lesions with carbamazepine and secondary parkinsonism). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare and painful syndrome that affects the sensory distribution of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in the Wuhan province of China in November 2019 and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early 2020. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus strain that was responsible for COVID-19, may affect the central nervous system and cause neurological manifestations. We report a case of a 46-year-old female presenting with pain in her right ear and pharynx on swallowing, coughing, and sneezing. On physical examination, normocephaly, normal hearing, no oropharyngeal lesions, and bilaterally normal tonsils were observed. On neurologic examination, her speech was fluent without any abnormalities and testing revealed COVID-19 positivity. Cranial computed tomography scan, brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cranial magnetic resonance angiogram, and soft-tissue neck MRI with and without contrast were unremarkable. Carbamazepine was initiated for neuropathic pain with success. Heightened awareness and early recognition of neurological complications related to SARS-CoV-2 infection may improve the prognosis. Monitoring the long-term nervous system complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including psychological and neurocognitive domains, is also necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome (MRS), a rare condition characterized by multiple, recurring, and swelling symptoms. The syndrome is diagnosed based on the presence of facial palsy, edema of characteristic histological appearance, and other associated signs such as a plicated tongue. Treatment options for MRS vary, with corticosteroids being the mainstay of treatment. Other immunosuppressants and surgical management may also be considered. The exact cause of MRS is unknown, and management is primarily focused on symptom relief. [Extracted from the article]

Baclofen was approved for medical use in the United States in 1977 by Food and Drug Administration. Serious adverse effects associated with this medication are uncommon at usually prescribed doses. Herein, we present a case of baclofen-induced catatonia in a young-adult female with back pain receiving oral baclofen. A 20-year-old female presented to the emergency department with possible seizure-like activity. It was reported that the patient was suffering from acute back pain and was prescribed baclofen three times a day by her general physician one day before her presentation. Upon further discussion, it was known that following an altercation with her family member, she had attempted suicide by consuming 200 mg of baclofen and then developed rapidly progressive symptoms of aphasia, mutism, and decreased oral intake. Laboratory tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and neuroimaging were unremarkable. Electroencephalogram was normal. Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score was 27. She showed significant improvement following low-dose lorazepam administration. There are four reports in the literature of catatonia secondary to baclofen. The present report is the first to describe the occurrence of catatonia in a previously healthy individual. Analysis of these cases suggests a relationship between a history of psychotic symptoms and catatonia. All the reports were classified as probable by the Naranjo algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a specific form of cysticercosis that affects the central nervous system. It is caused by the tapeworm Taenia solium, which is often found in pigs. NCC is considered one of the "great simulator/mimickers" of other diseases. In this context, movement disorders (MDs) can occur in a small percentage of individuals with NCC. This review aims to evaluate the clinicoepidemiological profile, pathological mechanisms, and historical features of NCC-associated MD. Relevant reports in six databases were identified and assessed by two reviewers without language restriction. A total of 71 reports containing 148 individuals who developed an MD related to NCC were identified. NCC-associated MD included parkinsonism (n = 47), ataxia (n = 32), chorea (n = 18), dystonia (n = 13), tremor (n = 8), myokymia (n = 6), myoclonus (n = 4), ballism (n = 1), tics (n = 1), and others (n = 18). The mean and median ages were 36.58 (standard deviation: 20.51) and 35 years (age range: 1-88 years), respectively. There was a slight predominance of female sex (52.17%). On follow-up, 58.90% of the individuals had a full recovery; two deaths were reported. We believe that the majority of cases reported were only diagnosed because patients had classical clinical manifestations generally investigated by neuroimaging, resulting in incidental findings suggestive of NCC, which were later supported by laboratory examinations. Therefore, the association between NCC and MD is probably underreported. Clinicians should be wary of this association, mainly in endemic areas for cysticercosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpes zoster (HZ) is related with the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. This infection is associated with HZ-oticus, HZ-ophthalmicus, and disseminated-cutaneous HZ. Here, we report a case of an adolescent male who presented with vesicular-eruptions in the left-forehead. The physical examination showed vesicles on the left V1-dermatome and external auditory canal, associated with ipsilateral periorbital oedema, peripheral VII nerve paralysis, hyperacusis, and tinnitus. Acyclovir, eye lubrication, and ophthalmic prednisolone were started. On second admission day, he developed vesicular lesions throughout the body. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the draining vesicles was VZV-positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: O. R. Thon reports speakers bureaus and advisory boards for Horizon Therapeutics. The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is one of the major risk factors of ischemic stroke. Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has become the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. However, data regarding the impact of AF on the outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy are controversial. The aim of our study was to determine whether atrial fibrillation modifies the functional outcome of patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke receiving EVT., Methods: We reviewed 273 eligible patients receiving EVT from January 2019 to January 2022 from 3 comprehensive Chinese stroke centers, of whom 221 patients were recruited. Demographics, clinical, radiological and treatment characteristics, safety outcomes, and functional outcomes were collected. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 at 90 days was defined as a good functional outcome., Results: In our cohort, 79 patients (35.74%) were eventually found to have AF. Patients with AF were elder (70.08 ± 11.72 vs. 61.82 ± 13.48 years, p = 0.000) and less likely to be males (54.43 vs. 73.94%, p = 0.03). The significant reperfusion rate (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3) was 73.42 and 83.80% in patients with and without AF, respectively ( p = 0.064). The good functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin scale: 0 to 2) rate was 39.24 and 44.37% in patients with and without AF, respectively ( p = 0.460) after adjusting multiple confounding factors. There was no difference in the presence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage between the two groups (10.13 vs. 12.68%, p = 0.573)., Conclusion: Despite their older age, AF patients achieved similar outcomes as non-AF patients with anterior circulation occlusion treated with endovascular therapy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wu, Pitton Rissardo, Nguyen, Mofatteh, Wei, Liebeskind, Yang, Li, Pan, Zhou, Lai, Gao, Wang, Ouyang, Mai, Meng, Chen and Liao.)