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Summary Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders, manifesting multiple clinical autoimmune inflammatory phenomena, including rarely peripheral neuropathy. Twenty‐four patients diagnosed with MDS and 29 healthy subjects were enrolled in this prospective study in a 5‐year period. Every subject was assessed by symptoms questionnaire and clinical neurological examination followed by nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing and skin biopsy. Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 12 subjects (50%). Our study indicated that peripheral neuropathy involving large and small nerve fibres, with a symmetrical length‐dependent pattern, is not uncommon between patients with MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Peripheral neuropathy is a well-known manifestation of alcohol overconsumption, but neurophysiological confirmation of peripheral nerve damage is costly and sometimes involves invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of commonly used clinical scales to detect the presence of neuropathy in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Methods Data were collected retrospectively on 116 patients diagnosed with AUD and treated voluntarily in a detoxification special unit. Ninety-eight age and gender-matched healthy subjects without a diagnosis of AUD were used as the control group. The five tested clinical neuropathy scales were the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS), the Neuropathy Disability Score, the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), the Neuropathy Impairment Score of the Lower Limbs, and the modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scale. Results The mean values of all tested clinical scales of the patients with AUD were significantly higher than the control group. All examined clinical scales were determined to be useful in discriminating between patients with neuropathy from patients without neuropathy. The strongest discrimination was seen with the NIS, including the best sensitivity and specificity for the range of scores obtained. All scales, except NSS, showed a stronger correlation with measures of large (LFN) than small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Conclusion Our study suggests that clinical scales could be used to detect peripheral neuropathy in patients with AUD when neurophysiological testing is not available. Moreover, we suggest that the NIS and the NSS scales would be most helpful in assessing LFN and SFN, respectively, in patients with AUD., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Scientific Committee of Aeginition Hospital and the Bioethics Committee of School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens issued approval 462. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Papantoniou et al.)

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease refers to a clinical and radiological spectrum of demyelinating disorders of the Central Nervous System. We report the case of a female adult patient presenting to our department with an episode of seizures and cognitive dysfunction, compatible with Gerstmann syndrome. Brain MRI revealed a high T2 and DWI signal unilateral cortical lesion at the inferior left parietal lobe and leptomeningeal contrast enhancement. Lumbar puncture showed pleocytosis of the lymphocytic type and elevated protein. Upon suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis, extensive laboratory testing was performed, and the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tested positive for anti-MOG, while anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies were detected in her serum. A diagnosis of FLAIR-hyperintense lesions in anti-MOG-associated encephalitis with seizures (FLAMES) was made, and the patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for five days, leading to clinical remission within days. However, serum anti-MOG IgG titers were found to be higher on follow-up, and the patient experienced a relapse, thus treatment with azathioprine was initiated. We suggest that upon suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis, all patients should be tested for serum and CSF anti-MOG IgG antibodies. Furthermore, we consider that anti-MOG antibody titers and GFAP concentration could be used as possible biomarkers for the disease course and treatment strategy options., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Papantoniou et al.)