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Background: Our objective was to assess optic nerve sheath diameter (a marker of elevated intracranial pressure) and optic disc elevation (a marker of papilledema) in pseudotumor cerebri syndrome using transorbital sonography. Methods: The study was a prospective case-control study. We included patients with new-onset pseudotumor cerebri syndrome and matched healthy controls. All had fundoscopy, lumbar puncture with opening pressure and transorbital sonography. Sonography was assessed by a blinded observer. Results: We evaluated 45 patients and included 23 cases. We recruited 35 controls. Optic nerve sheath diameter was larger in pseudotumor cerebri syndrome compared to controls (6.3 ± 0.9 mm versus 5.0 ± 0.5 mm, p < 0.001) and so was optic disc elevation (0.9 ± 0.4 mm versus 0.4 ± 0.1 mm, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off point for optic nerve sheath diameter was 6 mm with a sensitivity of 74% for prediction of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome and 68% for prediction of elevated opening pressure. Specificity was 94%. The optimal cut-off point for optic disc elevation was 0.6 mm. Sensitivity was 100% and specificity 83% for prediction of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Conclusion: Optic disc elevation and optic nerve sheath diameter are increased in new-onset pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Optic disc elevation achieved high specificity and excellent sensitivity for diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Transorbital sonography (TOS) is a potential, non-invasive screening tool for pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in headache clinics.

We aimed to systematically examine the optic nerve head anatomy in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) using a standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) protocol. The study retrospectively included 32 patients diagnosed from 2014 to 2021 with IIH. Using OCT, in accordance with a standardized scanning protocol for patients with optic disc drusen, the presence of optic disc drusen, prelaminar hyperreflective lines, peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures, the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and macular ganglion cell layer volume was obtained. Optic disc drusen were found in 3.1%, hyperreflective lines in 31.3%, and peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures in 81.3% of all IIH patients at least three months after the time of diagnosis. We found no significant differences in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness or macular ganglion cell layer volume in patients with hyperreflective lines or PHOMS respectively compared to patients without hyperreflective lines (p = 0.1285 and p = 0.1835). In conclusion, the prevalence of optic disc drusen in IIH patients is similar to the reported prevalence in the general population. The high prevalence of hyperreflective lines and peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures in IIH patients suggest these structures be a result of crowding in the optic nerve head caused by papilledema.

INTRODUCTION: Development of antimicrobial resistance is an ongoing and increasing problem. To provide the best possible treatment for patients it is crucial that clinicians are aware of the local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. The aim of this study was to present an overview of the percentage of bacterial isolates that are covered by the most commonly used antibiotics in the area of Copenhagen and to provide clinicians with a practical tool to help chose the right antimicrobial treatment for their patients.METHODS: We conducted a study of all bacteria isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility at Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, from 2004 to 2008. Due to a suspected rise in resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae after this period, updated data for these bacteria are shown for selected antibiotics until 2014. The department receives samples from hospitals as well as from primary healthcare. Only one isolate per species per patient per year was included.RESULTS: A total of 224,033 bacteria isolates were included in this study. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the various bacteria is presented in a table. No clinically relevant changes in resistance patterns were noted up to 2014.CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive and manageable inventory of the resistance patterns of the major bacteria covering the 2004-2008 period is presented. Clinicians are encouraged to use the pocket-size table as guidance when choosing antibiotic treatment.FUNDING: none.TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.