Search

In a 72-year-old female, subacute right hemiplegia and aphasia appeared in late May 2011. The results of hematology, a cerebrospinal fluid test, (13)F-FDG-PET, and cephalic MRI suggested intravascular/malignant lymphoma. Brain biopsy was performed. Pathological findings did not suggest a malignant tumor. In the perivascular space, the infiltration of neutrophils or histiocytes was observed. The patient was referred to the Department of Neurology. Based on the results of various examinations, infection was ruled out, and steroid therapy was conducted. Marked improvement was achieved. Subsequently, the results of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing showed B54/Cw1. As dermal findings were absent, it was impossible to make a definitive diagnosis of neuro-Sweet disease, but the disorder was regarded as a neuro-neutrophilic disease, which is a more comprehensive entity. Few studies have reported brain tissue findings of active neuro-neutrophilic disease. We report the present case, which will contribute to future research.

A 71-year-old woman developed advanced thermal hypoalgesia, bathyesthesia, and significant sensory ataxia 1 year ago. She also had difficulty maintaining a sitting posture. Patchy and reduced thermal nociception corresponding to a dermatome was found in her four extremities and trunk. On the basis of several tests, she was diagnosed with ataxic sensory neuronopathy due to dorsal root ganglionitis associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Generally, dorsal root ganglionitis associated with Sjögren's syndrome is refractory. After treatment with simple plasmapheresis, she was able to maintain a sitting posture. Finally, her symptoms stabilized after the inclusion of oral D-penicillamine to her treatment regimen. Although the clinical course was observed for about one year, we report this case because of its valuable finding, i.e., her symptoms improved after simple plasmapheresis and oral administration of D-penicillamine.

A 61-year-old female who was diagnosed with right lung cancer had right lower lobectomy by videoassisted thoracic surgery in June 2010. At the 7th post operative day( 7POD), the patient complained of dyspnea and chest X-ray showed right pneumothorax which was successfully treated by closed drainage and pleurodesis. Since then repeated right pneumothorax appeared and the same procedures were chosen for treatment. In September 2010, just after the pleurodesis for the 3rd time event, she lost consciousness. Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated air density area in bilateral internal carotid arteries and right parietal lobe, establishing the diagnosis of air embolism which was successfully treated by hyperbaric oxygen treatment.