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To assess the validity of neurosonological parameters (transorbital sonography (TOS)) for detection and monitoring of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).Prospective, single-center, case-controlled study in 25 patients with IIH and 19 controls. Visual parameters of papilledema, visual acuity, computerized static threshold perimetry, fundus examination, and neurosonological parameters of papilledema/optic disc elevation (ODE), optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and optic nerve diameter (OND) were recorded at baseline and only for patients with IIH again within 6 months.ONSD was significantly enlarged among individuals with IIH (6.2 ± 0.73 mm) compared to controls (4.99 ± 0.54 mm; p 0.001). Bilateral ODE was found in 36/50 eyes in patients at their initial visit and in none of the controls. Re-evaluation 6 months later showed a significant reduction of ONSD (6.0 ± 0.7 mm; p = 0.024) and ODE (0.2 (0-1) mm; p ≤0.001). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and square root of lost variance (sLV) remained stable. Headache intensity (Numeric rating scale, NRS) improved significantly p 0.001. When compared to patients with first diagnosed IIH (n = 18), the subset of patients with preexisting IIH with acute relapse (n = 7) showed persistent but reduced levels of ICP increase. They also presented significant decrease of BVCA (p = 0.01) and mean defect (MD) (p = 0.012). Re-evaluation 6 months later showed significant change in ODE in both groups.Our study confirmed that TOS and ophthalmological parameters are a valuable and non-invasive method to detect and monitor elevated ICP in IIH.

Background and Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most important cause of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Implantable loop recorder (ILR) demonstrated the highest sensitivity for detecting it. This register was created to confirm the high prevalence of AF in patients after ESUS and to verify possible benefits on clinical outcomes such as TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack)/stroke recurrence and death using ILR. Methods: A total of 278 patients admitted to “Molinette” Hospital in Stroke Unit department between 2011 and 2016, diagnosed with ESUS, underwent ILR implantation if they had at least one risk factor for AF. A total of 165 patients admitted to other departments in the same center for the same pathology, without ILR, represent the control group. We used propensity score to select 132 patients from each group (matching age, sex, CHADS-VASC, and HAS-BLEED baseline characteristics). Results: The detection rate of AF episodes was significantly higher in the ILR group (p < 0.001). No significant protective role of ILR for clinical endpoints was found on univariate analysis, although a trend towards significance has been pointed for the composite outcome of death and ischemic events recurrence (OR 0.52, CI 0.26–1.04, p = 0.06). A protective role of ILR was found for deaths (OR 0.4, CI 0.17–0.94, p 0.03) and for the composite outcome (OR 0.41, CI 0.19–0.87, p 0.02) on multivariate analysis in the best subsets. Conclusion: With our statistical models, we identified a significant clinical benefit from ILR monitoring, evidenced by a trend of less death and TIA/stroke recurrence and relevant ILR protection for prediction of TIA/stroke recurrence.

We report a case of massive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the contest of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia that required the rapid coordination of many specialists from different departments, notably emergency, neurology, neuroradiology, hematology, and neurosurgery. The patient was rapidly treated with steroids, immunoglobulin, and fondaparinux. She underwent within 6 h after hospital admission a mechanical thrombectomy in order to allow flow restoration in cerebral venous systems. Neuroendovascular treatment in cerebral venous thrombosis related to VITT has never been described before. It can represent a complementary tool along with the other therapies and a multidisciplinary approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented demand on the global healthcare system. Remarkably, at the end of 2021, COVID-19 vaccines received approvals for human use in several countries worldwide. Since then, a solid base for response in the fight against the virus has been placed. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective drugs. Nevertheless, all kinds of vaccines may be associated with the possible appearance of neurological complications, and COVID-19 vaccines are not free from neurological side effects. Neurological complications of COVID-19 vaccination are usually mild, short-duration, and self-limiting. However, severe and unexpected post-vaccination complications are rare but possible events. They include the Guillain-Barré syndrome, facial palsy, other neuropathies, encephalitis, meningitis, myelitis, autoimmune disorders, and cerebrovascular events. The fear of severe or fatal neurological complications fed the “vaccine hesitancy” phenomenon, posing a vital communication challenge between the scientific community and public opinion. This review aims to collect and discuss the frequency, management, and outcome of reported neurological complications of COVID-19 vaccines after eighteen months of the World Health Organization’s approval of COVID-19 vaccination, providing an overview of safety and concerns related to the most potent weapon against the SARS-CoV-2.

Bilateral simultaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion is a rare condition that may lead to severe neurological disability or death, thus requiring rapid intervention in order to restore vessels patency and brain perfusion. Perfusion-computed tomography is demonstrated to be a fundamental tool for selecting stroke patients candidate to mechanical thrombectomy, but its role for guiding the optimal strategy of endovascular treatment in concomitant multivessel cerebral occlusion has never been reported. We describe a case of bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion in which perfusion-computed tomography was crucial both for addressing to endovascular procedure and planning the sequence treatment of mechanical thrombectomies.

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)-ineligible patients undergoing direct thrombectomy tended to have poorer functional outcome as compared with IVT-eligible patients undergoing bridging therapy. We aimed to assess radiological and functional outcomes in large vessel occlusion-related stroke patients receiving direct thrombectomy in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT and vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT. A cohort study on prospectively collected data from 2282 patients enrolled in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke cohort for treatment with direct thrombectomy (n = 486, absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone; n = 384, absolute in combination with relative exclusion criteria for IVT; n = 777, relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone; n = 635, non-exclusion criteria for IVT). After adjustment for unbalanced variables (model 1), ORs for 3-month death was higher in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone) (1.595, 95% CI 1.042–2.440) and in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT) (1.235, 95% CI 1.014–1.504). After adjustment for predefined variables (model 2: age, sex, pre-stroke mRS ≤ 1, NIHSS, occlusion in the anterior circulation, onset-to-groin time, and procedure time), ORs for 3-month death was higher in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs relative exclusion criteria for IVT alone) (1.235, 95% CI 1.014–1.504) and in the presence of absolute exclusion criteria for IVT alone (vs non-exclusion criteria for IVT) (1.246, 95% CI 1.039–1.495). No significant difference was found between the groups as regards any type of intracerebral hemorrhage and parenchymal hematoma within 24 h, successful and complete recanalization after procedure, and modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 at 3 months. After adjustment for predefined variables of model 2, ORs for death were higher in the presence of recent administration of IV heparin (OR: 2.077), platelet count

BackgroundThe benefit, safety, and time intervals of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with in-hospital stroke (IHS) are unclear. We sought to evaluate the outcomes and treatment times for IHS patients compared with out-of-hospital stroke (OHS) patients receiving MT.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS) between 2015 and 2019. We compared the functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores) at 3 months, recanalization rates, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after MT. Time intervals from stroke onset-to-imaging, onset-to-groin, and onset-to-end MT were recorded for both groups, as were door-to-imaging and door-to-groin for OHS. A multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsOf 5619 patients, 406 (7.2%) had IHS. At 3 months, IHS patients had a lower rate of mRS 0–2 (39% vs 48%, PConclusionDespite favorable time intervals for MT, IHS patients had worse functional outcomes than OHS patients. Delays in IHS management were detected.

Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) provides a non-invasive, portable way to assess cerebral circulation. TCD could identify non-visual, non-angle-corrected analysis of the Doppler frequency shift of the intracranial cerebral arteries, based on probe’s position, selected sample volume, and insonation depth. Instead, transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) allows a direct visualization of certain cerebral arteries and an image-guided angle correction (AC) assessment of flow velocity. The color-guided imaging with its corresponding AC results is crucial for the correct evaluation of flow velocity of the arteries of circle of Willis due to their wide inter- and intra-individual anatomical variability. AC for the intracranial vessels should be performed when the angle of insonation is small, and the vessel is sufficiently identifiable along its course.

Background This article presents the first detailed analysis of the prevalence and disability burden of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) from 1990 to 2019 by cause, age, sex, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2019 were used. GBD 2019 modelled the prevalence of GBS using hospital and claims data. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated as the product of the GBS prevalence and the disability weight. This article also reported proportions in the age-standardised prevalence rate that were due to six underlying causes of GBS. Results In 2019, there were 150,095 [95% uncertainty intervals (UI) 119,924 to 188,309] total cases of GBS worldwide, which resulted in 44,407 (95% UI 28,016 to 64,777) YLDs. Globally, there was a 6.4% (95% UI 3.6 to 9.5) increase in the age-standardised prevalence of GBS per 100,000 population between 1990 and 2019. High-income Asia Pacific [1.9 (95% UI: 1.5 to 2.4)] and East Asia [0.8 (95% UI: 0.6 to 1.0)] had the highest and lowest age-standardised prevalence rates (per 100,000), respectively, in 2019. Nationally, Japan [6.4 (95% UI: 5.3 to 7.7)] and China [0.8 (95% UI: 0.6 to 1.0)] had the highest and lowest age-standardised prevalence rates (per 100,000). The age-standardised burden of GBS increased with increasing age and was higher in males in all age groups. Furthermore, the age-standardised prevalence of GBS (per 100,000) had a positive association with the level of development, as measured by SDI, although this association was not strong. Upper respiratory infections and unknown causes accounted for the highest proportions of underlying causes. Conclusions Globally, the prevalence of GBS continues to increase. Geographical differences and strategies aimed at preventing infectious diseases should be considered in future health policy planning and decision-making processes. This study had several limitations, such as using the same disability weight for all causes and a reliance on hospital- and self-reported data, which should be addressed in future research.

Transorbital sonography is able to provide reliable information about (a) intra-cranial pressure estimation through the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement, and (b) optic nerve atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis through the optic nerve diameter (OND). In this study, we present the first method for the automatic measurement of the OND and ONSD using a deep learning technique (UNet with ResNet50 encoder) for the optic nerve segmentation. The dataset included 201 images from 50 patients. The automated measurements were compared with manual ones obtained by one operator. The mean error was equal to 0.07 ± 0.34 mm and -0.07 ± 0.67 mm, for the OND and ONSD, respectively. The developed system should aid in standardizing OND and ONSD measurements and reduce manual evaluation variability.

Ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is used for the non-invasive assessment of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). ONSD values are usually obtained by averaging the measurements of the two eyes, but asymmetric ONSD dilation is possible, leading to potentially inaccurate ICP estimation when using binocular averaging. In addition, few data are available about the asymmetry of the ONSD and the use of the maximum ONSD value between eyes for raised ICP detection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interocular ONSD asymmetry in healthy subjects and patients with intracranial hypertension (IH) by ultrasonography and to investigate whether the maximum ONSD could be as useful as the binocular assessment. Forty healthy subjects and 40 patients with IH (20 with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and 20 with intracerebral hemorrhage) who underwent transorbital sonography were retrospectively enrolled. The prevalence and degree of ONSD asymmetry were compared among groups; ONSD median binocular and maximum values were compared. Forty-two out of 80 subjects (52.5%) showed significant ONSD asymmetry, without significant differences in prevalence among groups (p = 0.28). The median asymmetry was higher in patients than in healthy subjects (0.45 mm vs 0.23 mm; p = 0.007), without significant differences between the two pathologies (p = 0.58). Both binocular and maximum ONSD measurements were significantly higher in patients with IH than in controls (p

Estimation of intracranial pressure (ICP) may be helpful in the management of neurological critically ill patients. It has been shown that ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a reliable tool for non-invasive estimation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) at hospital admission or in intensive care. Less is known about the estimation of increased ICP and usefulness of ONSD in the prehospital setting. The aim of this review was to elucidate both prevailing and novel applications of ONSD for neurologists and critical care physicians. In this review, we discuss the technique and the novel approach of ONSD measurement, the clinical applications of ONSD in neurology and critical care patients. ONSD measurement is simple, easy to learn, and has diverse applications. ONSD has utility for ICP measurement in intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke, meningitis and encephalitis, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It is also valuable for lesser known syndromes, where an increase of ICP is postulated, such as acute mountain sickness and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. ONSD changes develop in inflammatory or ischemic optic neuropathies. Some papers demonstrate the usefulness of ONSD studies in symptomatic intracranial hypotension. ONSD is a safe and low-cost bedside tool with the potential of screening patients who need other neuroimaging and those who may need an invasive measurement of ICP.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and Doppler indices of central retinal arteries and veins for the detection of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and of the usefulness of a second assessment of these variables in the monitoring of ICH. METHODS A total of 46 acute ICH patients with (group 1, n = 25) and without (group 2, n = 21) clinical and radiological computed tomography signs of raised ICP and 40 healthy controls were recruited. The median binocular ONSD and Doppler indices of retinal vessels including resistive index (RI) and retinal venous pulsation (RVP) were compared among groups, both at admission and later during ICH monitoring. RESULTS Median binocular ONSD showed higher accuracy for the detection of increased ICP (sensitivity and specificity 100%), while Doppler indices were less accurate (sensitivity 48% and specificity 95% for RI; 80% and 62% for RVP). In ICH patients, ONSD was significantly elevated in group 1 both at admission (6.40 mm [interquartile range [IQR] = .70] vs. 4.70 [.40]) and at control time (6.00 [.55] vs. 4.55 [.40]; P

The psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been assessed worldwide, but there are limited data on how mental health professionals (MHPs) have been affected. Thus, this paper aims to investigate anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout in a sample of MHPs. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 167 participants: 56 MHPs, 57 physicians working closely with COVID-19 patients, and 54 physicians not working closely with such patients. MHPs reported good overall mental health. Most MHPs reported no post-traumatic stress, and their scores were significantly lower compared to HPs working closely with COVID-19 patients. MHPs’ hyperarousal scores were also significantly lower compared to HPs working closely with COVID-19 patients, while their intrusion scores were statistically significantly lower than those of all other professionals. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that MHPs had lower odds of exhibiting state anxiety and low personal accomplishment compared to HPs not working closely with COVID-19 patients. In sum, MHPs seem to show almost preserved mental health. Thus, given the high mental healthcare demand during a pandemic, it would be useful to rely on these professionals, especially for structuring interventions to improve and support the mental health of the general population and other healthcare workers.

Background and Purpose: Observational studies have suggested a link between fibromuscular dysplasia and spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD). However, whether patients with coexistence of the two conditions have distinctive clinical characteristics has not been extensively investigated. Methods: In a cohort of consecutive patients with first-ever sCeAD, enrolled in the setting of the multicenter IPSYS CeAD study (Italian Project on Stroke in Young Adults Cervical Artery Dissection) between January 2000 and June 2019, we compared demographic and clinical characteristics, risk factor profile, vascular pathology, and midterm outcome of patients with coexistent cerebrovascular fibromuscular dysplasia (cFMD; cFMD+) with those of patients without cFMD (cFMD–). Results: A total of 1283 sCeAD patients (mean age, 47.8±11.4 years; women, 545 [42.5%]) qualified for the analysis, of whom 103 (8.0%) were diagnosed with cFMD+. In multivariable analysis, history of migraine (odds ratio, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.13–2.79]), the presence of intracranial aneurysms (odds ratio, 8.71 [95% CI, 4.06–18.68]), and the occurrence of minor traumas before the event (odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.26–0.89]) were associated with cFMD. After a median follow-up of 34.0 months (25th to 75th percentile, 60.0), 39 (3.3%) patients had recurrent sCeAD events. cFMD+ and history of migraine predicted independently the risk of recurrent sCeAD (hazard ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.58–7.31] and 2.07 [95% CI, 1.06–4.03], respectively) in multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. Conclusions: Risk factor profile of sCeAD patients with cFMD differs from that of patients without cFMD. cFMD and migraine are independent predictors of midterm risk of sCeAD recurrence.

In the last 20 years ultrasound-based imaging of the brain has considerably improved and its application in the neurological settings is continuously increasing. Different techniques are currently available, allowing an almost complete identification of brain structures including parenchyma, vessels and ventricles. In addition, changes that occur in intracranial structures during cerebral pathologies may be evaluated through various neurosonological approaches. Thus, bedside brain ultrasonography is considered as a unique tool for the detection and monitoring of many different neurological conditions.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the rate of hospital admissions for cerebrovascular events and of revascularization treatments for acute ischemic stroke in Italy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods: The Italian Stroke Organization performed a multicenter study involving 93 Italian Stroke Units. We collected information on hospital admissions for cerebrovascular events from March 1 to March 31, 2020 (study period), and from March 1 to March 31, 2019 (control period). Results: Ischemic strokes decreased from 2399 in 2019 to 1810 in 2020, with a corresponding hospitalization rate ratio (RR) of 0.75 ([95% CI, 0.71–0.80] P

Purpose: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion represents an underinvestigated cause of acute ischemic stroke as well as an indication for mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated baseline and procedural characteristics, outcomes and predictors of outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial carotid artery occlusion. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke was performed. Patients with intracranial carotid artery occlusion (infraclinoid and supraclinoid) with or without cervical artery occlusion but with patent intracranial arteries were included. The 3‑month functional independence, mortality, successful reperfusion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were evaluated. Results: Intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries was diagnosed in 387 out of 4940 (7.8%) patients. The median age was 74 years and median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 18. Functional independence was achieved in 130 (34%) patients, successful reperfusion in 289 (75%) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 33 (9%), whereas mortality occurred in 111 (29%) patients. In univariate analysis functional independence was associated with lower age, lower NIHSS at presentation, higher rate of successful reperfusion and lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable regression analysis found age (odds ratio, OR:1.03; P = 0.006), NIHSS at presentation (OR: 1.07; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.60; P = 0.002), successful reperfusion (OR:0.20; P < 0.001) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 4.17; P < 0.001) as the best independent predictors of outcome. Conclusion: Our study showed a not negligible rate of intracranial carotid artery occlusion with patent intracranial arteries, presenting mostly as severe stroke, with an acceptable rate of 3‑month functional independence. Age, NIHSS at presentation and successful reperfusion were the best independent predictors of outcome. © 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Background There are limited data concerning procedure-related complications of endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes. Aims We evaluated the cumulative incidence, the clinical relevance in terms of increased disability and mortality, and risk factors for complications. Methods From January 2011 to December 2017, 4799 patients were enrolled by 36 centers in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment. Data on demographic and procedural characteristics, complications, and clinical outcome at three months were prospectively collected. Results The complications cumulative incidence was 201 per 1000 patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Ongoing antiplatelet therapy (p Conclusions Complications globally considered are not uncommon and may result in poor clinical outcome. Early recognition of risk factors might help to prevent complications and manage them appropriately in order to maximize endovascular thrombectomy benefits.

Transorbital sonography provides reliable information about the estimation of intra-cranial pressure by measuring the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), whereas the optic nerve (ON) diameter (OND) may reveal ON atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis. Here, an AUTomatic Optic Nerve MeAsurement (AUTONoMA) system for OND and ONSD assessment in ultrasound B-mode images based on deformable models is presented. The automated measurements were compared with manual ones obtained by two operators, with no significant differences. AUTONoMA correctly segmented the ON and its sheath in 71 out of 75 images. The mean error compared with the expert operator was 0.06 ± 0.52 mm and 0.06 ± 0.35 mm for the ONSD and OND, respectively. The agreement between operators and AUTONoMA was good and a positive correlation was found between the readers and the algorithm with errors comparable with the inter-operator variability. The AUTONoMA system may allow for standardization of OND and ONSD measurements, reducing manual evaluation variability.

Background and Objective. To investigate the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter, optic nerve diameter, visual acuity and osteopontin, and neurofilament heavy chain in patients with acute optic neuritis. Patients and Methods. Sonographic and visual acuity assessment and biomarker measurements were executed in 23 patients with unilateral optic neuritis and in 19 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Results. ONSD was thicker on the affected side at symptom onset (median 6.3 mm; interquartile range 6.0–6.5) than after 12 months (5.3 mm; 4.9–5.6; p<0.001) or than in controls (5.2 mm; 4.8–5.5; p<0.001). OND was significantly increased in the affected side (3.4 mm; 2.9–3.8) compared to healthy controls (2.7 mm; 2.5–2.9; p<0.001) and was thicker at baseline than after 12 months (2.8 mm; 2.7–3.0; p<0.01). Visual acuity improved significantly after 12 months (1.00; 0.90–1.00) compared to onset of symptoms (0.80; 0.40–1.00; p<0.001). OPN levels were significantly higher in patients at presentation (median 6.44 ng/ml; 2.05–10.06) compared to healthy controls (3.21 ng/ml, 1.34–4.34; p<0.03). Concentrations of NfH were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Conclusion. ONSD and OND are increased in the affected eye. OPN and NfH are elevated in patients, confirming the presence of any underlying inflammation and axonal injury.

Transcranial sonography (TCS) shows an increased echogenic area of the substantia nigra (SN) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). It has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of PD and its differentiation from atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Here, we studied the diagnostic accuracy of SN TCS in Italian patients. In this blinded cross-sectional study (NOBIS study), two expert neuro-sonologists performed TCS in 25 PD patients and 29 age- and sex-matched controls. The study participants were completely hidden to the TCS investigators using large drapery. One month later, the SN TCS recordings were re-read by the initial investigator, and cross-read by the second reader. Diagnostic accuracy was estimated on the first reading, intra-reader reliability on re-reading, and inter-reader reliability on cross-readings. The mean SN echogenic area was larger in the patients (0.24 cm2) than in the controls (0.15 cm2; Mann–Whitney test, p

Transorbital optic nerve sonography (TOS) can measure the optic nerve inclusive the sheath diameter (ONSD) and the optic nerve diameter (OND), which are useful parameters in the diagnosis of several neurological disorders. Data on the reproducibility of TOS are, however, required to use B-mode sonography for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to assess intra- and interobserver reliability of ultrasound-based evaluations of both OND and ONSD in healthy subjects.Using a 4-11-MHz linear array transducer, the OND and ONSD of 20 healthy subjects were independently measured by two expert investigators.Depicting the optic nerve and its sheath was possible in all subjects. The intra- and interobserver reliability was high for both ONSD and OND measurements. Intraobserver agreement, analyzed with Cronbach´s Alpha, was higher for ONSD (range: 0.69-0.72) than for OND measurements (range: 0.55-0.65). No differences in interobserver reliability between ONSD and OND measurements were found (p = 0.83 for right and 0.47 for left eye).Transorbital B-mode sonography is a feasible method to assess both ONSD and OND with a high intra- and interobserver reliability. Technical difficulties in differentiating the optic nerve from its sheaths may explain the lower intraobserver agreement for OND than that for ONSD measurements.Due esaminatori hanno determinato in maniera indipendente valori di ONSD ed OND in 20 soggetti sani utilizzando una sonda ecografica a 4–11 MHz.In tutti i soggetti è stato possibile visualizzare il nervo ottico e i suoi rivestimenti. Sono stati ottenuti elevati valori di riproducibilità intra- e inter-osservatore nella determinazione dell'ONSD e dell'OND. La riproducibilità intra-osservatore, analizzata con il metodo del Cronbach´s Alpha, era maggiore per l'ONSD (range: 0.69–0.72) che per l'OND (range 0.55–0.65). Non sono state riscontrate differenze nella riproducibilità inter-osservatore tra ONSD ed OND (La TOS è un metodo in grado di ottenere i valori di ONSD ed OND con elevato grado di riproducibilità intra- ed inter-osservatore. Difficoltà tecniche nel distinguere il nervo ottico dai suoi rivestimenti possono spiegare il minor grado di riproducibilità intra-osservatore per l'OND rispetto all'ONSD.

The aim of this retrospective study was to map the specific ischemic lesion patterns of distribution in patent foramen ovale-related stroke (PFO-stroke) and atrial fibrillation-related stroke (AF-stroke) in patients with idiopatic ischemic stroke. 750 ischaemic strokes were screened on basis of diagnostic imaging and tests: patients with known causes were excluded. 171 patients with unknown cause were selected and divided in two groups: AF-stroke (43 patients) and PFO-stroke (128 patients). Vascular territories of ischemic involvement were divided into four classes in each group: the anterior cerebral artery, the middle cerebral artery, the vertebro-cerebral artery (including the posterior cerebral artery) and multisite (MS) involvement. Infarcts in vertebro-basilar territory and multisite represented each one about 32% of infarcts in PFO-stroke group and their involvement are more frequent than AF-stroke group (p = 0.03). Ischemic lesions in PFO-group were predominantly cortical (34.3%), and in AF-group cortical-subcortical (60.4%). Multisite pattern of ischemic lesion was more frequent in patients with severe degree of right to left shunts (37.5%). In clinical practice, PFO may be considered a cause of cortical stroke on the basis of radiological findings, when VB vascular territory or MS brain involvement is present in younger patients (

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is generally considered to be a paradigm of pure motor neuron disorder; nevertheless, the possible occurrence of cognitive impairment up to a frank dementia in patients affected by ALS is recognized. The appraisal of the cognitive impairment in ALS patients is crucial not only to the therapeutic trials of this incurable disease, but also to the planning of care, compliance to interventions, the end-of-life decisions. The cognitive/behavioral changes of ALS patients are consistent with frontotemporal dysfunctions; the overlap of neuropathological features of ALS and frontotemporal lobe degeneration (FTLD) supports, in addition, the putative spectrum of ALS and FTD. In the present review, the pertinent clinical, genetic, neuropathological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging data of the literature are comprehensively and critically discussed. The distinct and overlapping features of ALS and FTD are pointed out, as well as the undisclosed questions deserving additional studies.

Itch, or pruritus, is an unpleasant cutaneous sensation associted with a pressing urge to scratch. It is one of the most frequent ymptoms in dermatology (e.g., in inflammatory skin disorders) nd general medicine (where it can be related to cholestasis, diaetes, uremia and lymphoma). Itch may also be observed in both peripheral and central nerous system (CNS) lesions, but it is rarely the isolated or the main ymptom of neurological disorders, especially in cases of spinal ord diseases. We report a case of localized itch as an isolated symptom of spinal cavernous hemangioma. Surgical excision allowed relief rom symptom. We reviewed different theories on the generation f itching and discussed its association with cervical lesions.

Transorbital sonography (TOS) has been proven to be able to non-invasively detect elevated intracranial pressure. In this condition TOS shows an increase in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). It has been suggested that internal jugular vein valve insufficiency (IJVVI) may represent a factor contributing to the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with IIH or secondary IH have higher ONSD values and higher frequency of IJVVI compared to subjects without IH.Twenty-one patients with newly diagnosed IIH or secondary IH were prospectively evaluated and compared with 21 age, gender and BMI-matched controls. Experienced vascular sonographers used B-mode TOS to evaluate ONSD, optic nerve diameter (OND) and IJVVI. CSF opening pressures were also measured.ONSD values were significantly higher in patients (6.50 ± 0.67) than controls (5.73 ± 0.66; p 0.0001). No differences were found in OND values between patients (2.99 ± 0.26) and controls (2.93 ± 0.41; p = 0.574). No correlation was demonstrated between ONSD and CSF opening pressure (r = 0,086) (p = 0.73). No difference in frequency of IJVVI between patients (11/42 valves, 26 %) and controls (9/42, 21 %) was observed (p = 0.777).Increased ONSD values detected by TOS support the diagnosis of IH. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a venous congestion as a potential factor contributing to the pathogenesis of IIH.Not applicable. Observational, non-interventional study.