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Previous research has shown the benefits of early detection and treatment of dementia. This detection is usually performed manually by one or more clinicians based on reports and psychometric testing. Machine learning algorithms provide an alternative method of prediction that may contribute, with an automated process and insights, to the diagnosis and classification of the severity level of dementia. The aim of this study is to explore the use of neuropsychological data from a reduced version of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) to predict absence or different levels of dementia severity using the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) scores through the implementation of the kNN machine learning algorithm. A sample of 1164 elderly people over sixty years old were evaluated using a reduced version of the ACE-III and the GDS. The kNN classifier provided good accuracies using 15 items from the ACE-III and adequately differentiating people with absence and mild impairment, from those with more severe levels of impairment according to the GDS rating. Our results suggest that the kNN algorithm may be used to automate aspects of clinical cognitive impairment classification in the elderly population.

To evaluate the technical efficacy, safety, and reproducibility of automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD) under CT and fluoroscopic guidance, for treating radiculopathy caused by lumbar disc herniation in patients impervious to conservative treatment. A total of 77 patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation were treated with APLD in a prospective multicentric study performed in four centers across three countries. Magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography was used to evaluate the disc herniation before and after the procedure. Only local anesthesia was used during these procedures. Clinical outcomes were measured with the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at one and 6 months after the procedure. Technical success rate was 100% with a mean intervention duration of 30 min (15–45 min). No complications occurred during the procedure. Post-lumbar puncture syndrome occurred in three patients who were successfully treated with blood patches. VAS decreased from a mean of 8 before the intervention to 3 1 month after (p value = 0.001). The requirement for analgesia decreased from 100 to 27%. No statistically significant differences in outcomes were found between the centers. APLD with dual imaging guidance under local anesthesia is a safe, feasible, and reproducible technique to treat symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic condition that encompasses widespread pain associated with cognitive impairment and significant emotional distress related to functional disability that affects mainly women. However, the mechanisms underlying the origin of the cognitive impairments and how the current COVID-19 pandemic impacts remain elusive. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between cognitive performance in executive functions, physical pain, and psychological distress caused by the pandemic in a group of Chilean women with FMS using a novel online protocol of neuropsychological evaluation. We found that women with FMS present cognitive impairment predominantly explained by pain and anxiety symptoms, which are associated with the difficulties experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic. These results point out the importance of considering a broader perspective for treatment, including anxiety symptoms and the psychological distress caused by the pandemic as a therapeutic target for cognitive impairments.

To evaluate the technical efficacy, safety, and reproducibility of automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD) under CT and fluoroscopic guidance, for treating radiculopathy caused by lumbar disc herniation in patients impervious to conservative treatment.A total of 77 patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation were treated with APLD in a prospective multicentric study performed in four centers across three countries. Magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography was used to evaluate the disc herniation before and after the procedure. Only local anesthesia was used during these procedures. Clinical outcomes were measured with the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at one and 6 months after the procedure.Technical success rate was 100% with a mean intervention duration of 30 min (15-45 min). No complications occurred during the procedure. Post-lumbar puncture syndrome occurred in three patients who were successfully treated with blood patches. VAS decreased from a mean of 8 before the intervention to 3 1 month after (p value = 0.001). The requirement for analgesia decreased from 100 to 27%. No statistically significant differences in outcomes were found between the centers.APLD with dual imaging guidance under local anesthesia is a safe, feasible, and reproducible technique to treat symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

ResumenDescribimos 2 casos de tumores lipomatosos endobronquiales diagnosticados mediante TC. El primer caso mostró un nódulo homogéneo de densidad grasa de 11mm localizado en el bronquio intermediario derecho, que correspondió a un lipoma. El segundo paciente se sometió a una TC por la sospecha de lesión endobronquial luego que cursara con 2 episodios de neumonías localizadas en el lóbulo inferior izquierdo. En esta se demostró un nódulo de predominio graso con pequeñas áreas de densidad de partes blandas en el bronquio inferior izquierdo. El estudio patológico confirmó que se trataba de un hamartoma lipomatoso con áreas de cartílago maduro.AbstractWe describe two cases of lipomatous endobronquial tumors diagnosed by CT. The first case showed a homogeneous fat density endobronquial nodule in the right intermediate bronchus compatible with lipoma. The second patient underwent a CT under the suspicion of a endobronquial lesion after two episodes of pneumonia localized in left lower lobe. The TC demonstrated a fat predominant nodule in the left lower lobe bronchus. The anatomopathologic study confirmed a lipomatous hamartoma with areas of mature cartilage.