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Background: Subtle, but observable, changes in mobility often exist among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Notably, these changes are not inconsequential. Therefore, there is a strong interest to better understand the underlying neural correlates of gait slowing among older adults with MCI. In this study, we aimed to characterize patterns of functional connectivity associated with slower gait speed in older adults with MCI., Methods: Forty-nine participants aged 60 years and older with MCI were included in the cross-sectional study. All participants underwent assessments of gait speed and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging., Results: In this sample of older adults with MCI, slower usual gait was characterized by altered connectivity between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and the frontoparietal network (FPN) (p < .05)-specifically, slower usual gait was associated with greater connectivity between the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the bilateral ventral visual cortices (p = .01); lower connectivity between the SMA and the bilateral superior lateral occipital cortex (p < .01); and lower connectivity between the SMA and the bilateral frontal eye field (p < .01)., Conclusion: Altered inter-network functional connectivity between the SMN and FPN may be a neural mechanism for slowing of gait in older adults with MCI., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability; the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in previously healthy people aged under 40 in the United Kingdom (UK). There are currently little official Irish statistics regarding TBI or outcome measures following TBI, although it is estimated that over 2000 people per year sustain TBI in Ireland. We performed a retrospective cohort study of TBI patients who were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU) at CUH between July 2012 and December 2015. Demographic data were compiled by patients' charts reviews. Using the validated Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOS-E) outcome measure tool, we interviewed patients and/or their carers to measure functional outcomes. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to assess association between different variables using IBM's Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20. In the 42-month period, 102 patients were identified, mainly males (81%). 49% had severe TBI and 56% were referred from other hospitals. The mean age was 44.7 and a most of the patients were previously healthy, with 65% of patients having ASA I or II. Falls accounted for the majority of the TBI, especially amongst those aged over 50. The 30-day mortality was 25.5% and the mean length of hospital stay (LOS-H) was 33 days. 9.8% of the study population had a good recovery (GOS-E 8), while 7.8% had a GOS-E score of 3 (lower sever disability). Patients with Extra-Dural haemorrhage had better outcomes compared with those with SDH or multi-compartmental haemorrhages (p = 0.007). Older patients had a higher mortality, with the highest mortality (37.5%) among those over 50 years old (p = 0.009). TBI is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the young mean age and low ASA the mortality, morbidity and average LOS-H were significant, highlighting the health and socioeconomic burden of TBI.

Clinical Introduction: A 75-year-old patient with hypertension and severe aortic stenosis underwent elective coronary angiography that showed mild non-obstructive disease in the mid left anterior descending artery (LAD). A left ventriculogram, however, demonstrated segmental systolic dysfunction with dilated akinetic apex (figure 1A, see online supplementary video 1). There was no history of prior myocardial infarction and the patient had not experienced any chest pain recently. A 12-lead ECG showed widespread deep symmetrical inverted T-waves with the exception of leads I, aVL and V1 (see online supplementary figure S1). Cardiac MRI (CMR) was performed to further delineate the morphology of the left ventricle (LV) and a representative frame in late gadolinium phase is shown (figure 1B)., Question: Above information is most likely consistent with: Takotsubo cardiomyopathyLeft ventricular pseudoaneurysmApical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with aneurysm formationA sequel of prior myocardial infarction in the setting of aortic stenosisLeft ventricular non-compaction., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.)

Background: Spindle cell pseudotumors are formed by histiocytes in response to infection by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) and are rare in patients without AIDS., Case Description: A 66-year-old man presented with neck pain, ataxia, and a history of sarcoidosis. A cerebellar lesion was identified on magnetic resonance imaging and surgically excised. Histopathology revealed this to be a spindle cell pseudotumor and MAC was isolated by bacterial culture of cerebrospinal fluid. Hematology revealed cluster of differentiation 4 lymphocytopenia but human immunodeficiency virus serology was negative. The patient was commenced on antimicrobial treatment that included a macrolide and remained well at 1 year follow-up., Conclusions: This rare presentation of isolated intracranial MAC was treated with surgical excision and antimicrobials with a good outcome., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Peri-operative elevated serum lactate could be a sign of high risk of morbidity among affected patients. However, this finding can be self-limiting and with no consequences in some conditions., Case Presentation: We present a case of transient elevated serum lactate level in a 33 year old man that underwent a cranial meningioma resection. The patient had an elevation of serum lactate levels peri-operatively, with a spontaneous gradual decline in the serum lactate five hours post-operatively. The patient had an otherwise uncomplicated post-operative course and was discharged home on the fifth post-operative day., Conclusion: Elevation in serum lactate level during a large meningioma resection could be transient and may not result in morbidity., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Mitral isthmus (MI) ablation is technically challenging, requiring long endocardial ablation times and frequently coronary sinus (CS) ablation. The circumflex artery lies in the epicardium in close proximity to the CS and the mitral annulus and may potentially be injured during radiofrequency ablation., Methods and Results: Fifty-four patients underwent catheter ablation procedures that included MI ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Irrigated ablation catheters were used with the following settings: endocardial surface (max power: 40/50 W at the annular end; max temperature: 48°C); CS (max power: 25/30 W; max temperature: 48°C). Coronary angiography was performed pre- and post-ablation and analysed by two cardiologists with quantitative coronary angiography. Mitral isthmus block was achieved in 89% of patients (60% required CS ablation). Fifteen patients (28%) had angiographic changes following ablation: eight had mid-circumflex narrowing only, one had circumflex and obtuse marginal (OM) artery narrowing, one had OM narrowing only, and five had distal circumflex occlusion/narrowing. Five patients had significant narrowing (50-84%), which resolved with intracoronary glycerine trinitrate. Fourteen (93%) of the patients with circumflex 'injury' had CS ablation and a longer mean CS ablation time (5.0 ± 3.0 vs. 2.6 ± 3.3 min, P = 0.03). Patients with distal circumflex occlusion had significantly smaller vessel diameter (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.2 mm, P = 0.03). A shorter distance between the circumflex and the CS was also associated with circumflex 'injury' (3.2 ± 1.9 vs. 5.6 ± 3.2 mm, P = 0.04). There were no electrocardiographic or echocardiographic abnormalities and no angina symptoms during follow-up., Conclusion: Acute sub-clinical circumflex 'injury' following MI ablation is not uncommon. Ablation within the CS, proximity of the circumflex and the CS, and a small distal circumflex were risk factors for 'injury'.

Over the last several years minimally invasive surgical approaches to the sella turcica and parasellar regions have undergone significant change. The transsphenoidal approach to this region has evolved from a sublabial transnasal, to transnasal, to pure endonasal approaches with the increasing popularity of endoscopic over microscopic techniques. Endoscopic and microscopic techniques individually or in combination have their own unique advantages, and the preference of one over the other awaits further technological refinements and surgical experience. In parallel with this evolution in techniques for transsphenoidal surgery, the authors designed an adaptable versatile speculum for the endonasal/transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the sella turcica and parasellar regions that can be used equally effectively with a microscope or an endoscope. The development of this instrument and its unique features are described, and its initial clinical use is summarized. This transnasal transsphenoidal speculum has interchangeable blades, unique blade angulations, and independent blade opening mechanisms and allows safe, optimal exposure in all patients regardless of the size and anatomical aberrations of individual nasal and endonasal regions. An attached endoscope carrier further allows it to be used interchangeably with microscopic or endoscopic techniques without having to remove the speculum; likewise, a single surgeon can use both hands without need of an assistant. A forehead headrest component adds further stabilization. This device has been used successfully in 90 transsphenoidal procedures.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndromes. The increasing use of early angiography in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) era has led to earlier identification of patients with SCAD and may encourage an increased use of percutaneous revascularization strategies in this population. However, the pathophysiology of SCAD is distinct from the usually stenotic atherosclerotic plaque-rupture events responsible for most ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarctions, but our approach to managing these patients utilizes largely the same medical and revascularization therapies used in conventional acute coronary syndromes. This review examines the literature on SCAD and contemporary management issues.

The diagnosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is not always readily apparent on coronary angiography. Even if the diagnosis is suspected, angiography often conveys limited information about the underlying pathology, much of which is crucial for successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Due to the dissection flap and the resultant double lumen, SCAD poses unique challenges for PCI, specifically in securing wire access to the true lumen without propagation of the dissection. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a wire-based intravascular imaging modality with a high resolution of 10-20 µm. We present a case demonstrating the use of OCT in emergency PCI of SCAD, where OCT was integral not only to the diagnosis of SCAD, but also to successful PCI of the condition. It is a valuable aid to PCI in cases where there is uncertainty regarding the precise guidewire location, proving its use in the cardiac catheterization laboratory beyond that of merely a diagnostic tool.

Object: Neuroendoscopists often note pulsatility or flabbiness of the floor of the third ventricle during endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and believe that either is a good indication of the procedure's success. Note, however, that this belief has never been objectively measured or proven in a prospective study. The authors report on a simple test-the hydrostatic test-to assess the mobility of the floor of the third ventricle and confirm adequate ventricular flow. They also analyzed the relationship between a mobile floor (a positive hydrostatic test) and prospective success of ETV., Methods: During a period of 3 years between July 2001 and July 2004, 30 ETVs for obstructive hydrocephalus were performed in 22 male and eight female patients. Once the stoma had been created, the irrigating Ringer lactate solution was set at a 30-cm height from the external auditory meatus, and the irrigation valve was opened while the other ports on the endoscope were closed. The ventricular floor ballooned downward and stabilized. The irrigation valve was then closed and ports of the endoscope were opened. The magnitude of the upward displacement of the floor was then assessed. Funneling of the stoma was deemed to be a good indicator of floor mobility, adequate flow, and a positive hydrostatic test. All endoscopic procedures were recorded using digital video and recordings were subsequently assessed separately by two blinded experienced neuroendoscopists. Patients underwent prospective clinical follow up during a mean period of 11.2 months (range 1 month-3 years), computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain, and measurements of cerebrospinal fluid pressure through a ventricular reservoir when present. Failure of ETV was defined as the subsequent need for shunt implantation. The overall success rate of the ETV was 70% and varied from 86.9% in patients with a mobile stoma and a positive hydrostatic test to only 14.2% in patients with a poorly mobile floor and a negative test (p < 0.05). The positive predictive value of the hydrostatic test was 86.9%, negative predictive value 85.7%, sensitivity 95.2%, and specificity 66.6%., Conclusions: The authors concluded that the hydrostatic test is an easy, brief test. A positive test result confirms a mobile ventricular floor and adequate flow through the created ventriculostomy. Mobility of the stoma is an important predictor of ETV success provided that there is no obstruction at the level of the arachnoid granulations or venous outflow. A thin, redundant, mobile third ventricle floor indicates a longstanding pressure differential between the third ventricle and the basal cisterns, which is a crucial factor for ETV success. A positive hydrostatic test may avert the need to insert a ventricular reservoir, thus avoiding associated risks of infection.

The authors report on a case of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord in an individual returning to Ireland after a 25-year residence in Africa, where the infection affects approximately 200 million people.

Chordoma is a locally invasive tumor of low metastatic potential. Only six cases of chordoma that metastasized to the brain are found in the English literature. Most of these lesions were clinically silent and all were associated with extraneural metastases. The authors report a case of symptomatic brain metastasis from a sacrococcygeal chordoma in the absence of other metastases. The incidence, sites, and factors predictive of chordoma metastasis are discussed.

Despite the fact that gout is a common metabolic disorder, because its involvement of the axial skeleton is rare the diagnosis is often delayed, even in patients with long-standing gout who present with neurological deficits. The authors report the case of a woman with a history of extensive gout, emphasizing the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of a lumbar spinal stenosis.