Neurology Commons^™

Surgical Management Of Fungal Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Benjamin M. Zussman, Bs, David L. Penn, Ms, James S. Harrop, Md

JHN Journal

Fungal vertebral osteomyelitis (FVO) is an uncommon but aggressive disease that may cause spinal instability, neurological insult, and possible death. Little data about treatment strategies and patient outcomes exist. A retrospective review of medical and surgical management with follow-up of this disease was performed.

Mis Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Five-Level Fusion Through A Novel Cervical Tube, Ashwini Sharan Md, Mitchell A. Hardenbrook, Md, John K. Ratliff Md, James Harrop, Md

JHN Journal

Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques to the spine have focused mainly on the lumbar region. Many reports exist on the ability to decompress the neural structures in the lumbar and thoracic spine both via an anterior and posterior approach. Familiarity with these techniques now allows one or two level interbody and pedicle fusions, and treatment of trauma through MIS approaches. Controversy exists as to the efficacy of these techniques because direct studies comparing MIS approaches with open techniques are lacking. However, proponents of these techniques site smaller incision, less muscle retraction, less blood loss, shorter length of stay and better …

Bevacizumab: A Controversial Agent Against High-Grade Gliomas, Sussan Salas, Md, Miguel Guzman, Md, Kevin Judy, Md

JHN Journal

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite the current regimen of surgical resection with subsequent external beam radiotherapy and temozolomide, mean survival is 14.6 months and 2-year survival is 26%. GBM is a highly vascular tumor, a result of its increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared to other brain tumors. VEGF promotes endothelial cell proliferation, and is thought to have a pivotal role during tumor progression. Multiple treatment modalities have targeted VEGF and VEGF receptors (VEGFTs) due to their essential roles in the regulation of angiogenic processes. Bevacizumab is a …

Functional Recovery Of Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report, Adam L. Schreiber, John W. Norbury Iii, Eduardo A. De Sousa

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

HIV-associated Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a well-documented phenomenon, typically occurring at seroconversion. GBS may result in functional impairment treated with a combination of medications, plasmapheresis, and rehabilitation. The quantified functional recovery of HIV-associated GBS with or without HIV treatment is not well-described. Utilizing serial FIM scoring, we describe a patient’s recovery from HIV-associated GBS after treatment with IVIg and acute inpatient rehabilitation without HIV treatment.

The Prevalence Of Cervico-Arterial Dissection In Sub-Arachnoid Hemorrhage In The United States, Ali Seifi, Md, Fred Rincon, Md, Msc, Mitchell Maltenfort, Phd, Pascal Jabbour, Md, Rodney Bell, Md, Michael Moussouttas, Md

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Objectives: In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of cervico-arterial dissection in aubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) using a large administrative database.

The Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Acute Myocardial Infarction (Ami) After Acute Ischemic Stroke (Ais) In The United States, Ali Seifi, Md, Fred Rincon, Md, Msc, Michael Moussouttas, Md, Mitchell Maltenfort, Phd, Matthew Vibbert, Md, Rodney Bell, Md, Maria Carissa Pineda, Md, Diana Tzeng, Md, Jacqueline Urtecho, Md, Anish Koka, Md, William Mcbride, Md

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for, and the association with in-hospital mortality of, AMI after AIS, and to study the effect of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in this setting. We hypothesized that AMI would be associated with lower survival rate at hospital discharge but that intravenous r-tPA would be associated with lower risk of AMI.

Treatment Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak During Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation With Epidural Blood Patches, Farid Kia, Md, Linqiu Zhou, Md, Jason Berk, Md

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

Conclusion:

Our data is consistent with prior studies in demonstrating that the incidence of dural puncture and CSF leak with SCS procedures is rare. Based on our experiences, performing an epidural blood patch intra-operatively on the contra-lateral side under fluoroscopy could prevent PDPH. This treatment should especially be considered in patients undergoing SCS trials in order to accurately assess the level of pain reduction. Patients with prior spine surgeries might pose higher risks for dural puncture and more extensive pre-operative assessment could be beneficial.

Psychological And Cognitive Determinants Of Vision Function In Age-Related Macular Degeneration., Barry W. Rovner, Robin J Casten, Robert W Massof, Benjamin E Leiby, William S Tasman

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of coping strategies, depression, physical health, and cognition on National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire scores obtained at baseline in a sample of older patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) enrolled in the Improving Function in AMD Trial, a randomized controlled clinical trial that compares the efficacy of problem-solving therapy with that of supportive therapy to improve vision function in patients with AMD.

METHODS: Baseline evaluation of 241 older outpatients with advanced AMD who were enrolled in a clinical trial testing the efficacy of a behavioral intervention to improve vision function. Vision function was characterized …

Multiple Courses Of Stereotactic Re-Irradiation In Recurrent Oligodendroglioma: A Case Report., Shannon Fogh, Charles Glass, David W Andrews, Maria Werner-Wasik

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: High grade gliomas are an insidious disease associated with an extremely poor prognosis. The role of re-irradiation for recurrent gliomas is unclear but several retrospective studies have indicated mild toxicity and modest outcomes with this regimen. With subsequent progression, it is unclear what options remain and more radiotherapy is rarely offered for fear of surpassing normal central nervous system tissue tolerance and causing significant side effects without significant benefit.

CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we describe a 37-year-old Caucasian male initially diagnosed with a grade IV oligodendroglioma, who received multiple courses of re-irradiation and experienced a survival of 10 …