Κυριακή 31 Οκτωβρίου 2021

Psychrobacter piechaudii shunt infection: first report of human infection

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Childs Nerv Syst. 2021 Oct 28. doi: 10.1007/s00381-021-05401-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Psychrobacter piechaudii is a recently described species of Gram-negative bacteria in the Moraxellaceae family. No cases of human infection due to this species have been described before. We report the case of an ex-premature infant girl with hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular haemorrhage who underwent multiple cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt operations. She ultimately developed Psychrobacter piechaudii meningitis, presenting as ventriculoperitoneal shunt dysfunction and wound leak, which necessitated removal of the shunt, a period of external ventricular drainage and antibiotics. We found this organism to be sensitive to intravenous ceftazidime (50 mg/kg) and ciprofloxacin, and a 7-10 day treatment course prior to shunt re-insertion (and 3 week total course) was sufficient. The patient is well post-operatively. To the best of our knowledg e, this is the first reported case of Psychrobacter piechaudii infection in a human.

PMID:34713345 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-021-05401-7

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Stigmasterol inhibits the progression of lung cancer by regulating retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C

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Histol Histopathol. 2021 Oct 29:18388. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-388. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the role of stigmasterol in lung cancer. The study aims to investigate the role of stigmasterol in lung cancer and further explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU), TUNEL and Flow cytometry were conducted to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cell lines. qRT-PCR and western blot were conducted to detect mRNA and protein levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9. In addition, Gene Ontology, STRING, SWISSMODEL, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and Swiss Target Prediction were used to predict the targets of stigmasterol.

RESULTS: Behavioral studies showed that stigmasterol inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Further research revealed that retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C (RORC) directly targeted stigmasterol in lung cancer. Interestingly, rescue experiments indicated that RORC overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of stigmasterol on lung cancer.

CONCLUSION: In our study, we confirmed the functional role of the stigmasterol-RORC axis in lung cancer progression, which provides a latent target for lung cancer treatment.

PMID:34713889 | DOI:10.14670/HH-18-388

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Posttraumatic Vernet syndrome without fracture: A case report and short literature review

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Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Oct 29;100(43):e27618. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000027618.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: The aim of this case is to emphasize the need to include nerve traction in the differential diagnosis of nerve deficits associated with Vernet syndrome. This mechanism of injury has been described only once, but must not be overlooked and should be considered and included as a possible cause in diagnostic algorithms.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A patient presenting with dysphagia, ex treme hoarseness, and limited shoulder movement after head injury was admitted to the emergency department.

DIAGNOSES: Multidisciplinary evaluation was performed, and nerve traction-induced Vernet syndrome was established as a running diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS: Intensive swallowing and speech exercises, assisted by a specialist, were performed.

OUTCOMES: Swallowing and speech exercises significantly and objectively improved the patient's swallowing and voice, with mild hoarseness of voice remaining as the main symptom. Spectral acoustic analysis went from a voice pitch of 163.77 Hz to normal (187.77 Hz), jitter improved from 17.87% to 0.86% and shimmer values decreased from 39.86% to 19.60%. Breathiness during phonation measuring 2.91% was reduced to 1.08% and appropriate average intensity of voice (63.95 dB) was achieved. Initial dysphagia and fluid retention in the right piriform sinus, along with tracheal aspiration, were not observed in control fiberoptic endosc opic evaluation of swallowing.

LESSONS: According to our knowledge and literature data, this is the second reported case of posttraumatic Vernet syndrome without radiologically confirmed jugular foramen fracture, induced by nerve traction. Such patients need a prompt multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and timely posttraumatic rehabilitation therapy for favorable clinical evolution and retrieval of nerve function.

PMID:34713846 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000027618

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Leptomeningeal dissemination as a first sign of progression in metastatic melanoma: a diagnostic lesson

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One of the most serious complications of advanced melanoma is the diffusion of cancer cells to the central nervous system. The diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis (LMM) is notoriously challenging and requires a combination of consistent MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. In ambiguous cases, mutations like B RAF V600E in CSF-cell-free (cf)DNA may help to clarify diagnosis of LMM. Here we present the case of a young woman who developed isolated LMM after the diagnosis of a node-positive primary melanoma with normal LDH. The CSF was negative for tumour cells by cytology but positive for cfDNA BRAF V600E mutation, thus allowing us to diagnose LMM. To our knowledge, this is the first case where CSF sampling for the detection of BRAF mutation was used to identify leptomeningeal disease in the presence of negative MRI and without involvement of any other distant sites. Received 26 October 2020 Accepted 12 September 2021 Correspondence to Michele Parietti, Dermatology Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 23, 10126, Turin, Italy, Tel: +39 011 6335843; fax: +39 011 6335034; e-mail: pariettimichele@gmail.com Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Risk factors for postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma: a meta-analysis and systematic review

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BMC Neurol. 2021 Oct 27;21(1):417. doi: 10.1186/s12883-021-02440-0.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage represents a challenge even for experienced pituitary surgeons. We aimed to quantitatively synthesize data from studies regarding the risk factors for postoperative CSF leakage after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenoma (PA).

METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, and VIP database were searched for case-control and cohort studies, focusing on the risk factors associated with postoperative CSF leakage after TSS for PA. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the risk factors.

RESULTS: A total of 34 case-control and cohort studies involving a total of 9,144 patients with PA were included in this systematic review. The overall rate of postoperative CSF le akage after TSS for PA was 5.6%. Tumor size, adenoma consistency, revision surgery, and intraoperative CSF leakage were independent risk factors for postoperative CSF leakage (ORs, 3.18-6.33). By contrast, the endoscopic approach showed a slight protective benefit compared with the microscopic approach in TSS (OR, 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the quality of the evidence base, informing clinical staff of the importance of screening risk factors for postoperative CSF leakage after TSS for PA. More attention should be paid to PA patients at high risk for CSF leakage after TSS to reduce complications and improve prognosis.

PMID:34706659 | DOI:10.1186/s12883-021-02440-0

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Woodruff's plexus-arterial or venous?

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Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02852-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Woodruff's plexus is a vascular network located on the posterior lateral wall of the inferior meatus of the nasal cavity and it is generally considered to be responsible for posterior epistaxis. Despite being initially identified in 1949 as a venous plexus, discrepancies exist within literature regarding this anatomical structure, particularly its arterial or venous natur e and its association with posterior epistaxis. This systematic review aims to collate information pertaining to Woodruff's plexus and evaluate our current understanding of this vascular area.

METHODS: The systematic review was performed using published data in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO and Web of Science platforms using keywords such as 'Woodruff', 'posterior' and 'plexus'. Articles referring to Woodruff's plexus were collected and analysed by independent reviewers.

RESULTS: The search revealed 154 papers, out of which only 40 were included in the review. Out of this number only two papers were anatomical dissection studies, both of which identify the plexus as venous in nature. Seventeen studies describe the plexus as venous by citing these two papers. The remainder of the articles (23) consider Woodruff's plexus as arterial with variability in the reported arteries that supply it.

CONCLUSION: Woodruff's original description of a venous plexus is supp orted by modern anatomical studies. There are a multitude of reports that Woodruff's plexus is arterial in nature, despite the absence of existing anatomical studies to support this notion. This misconception has likely arisen due to clinical associations in relation to posterior epistaxis.

PMID:34714375 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-021-02852-0

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Post-operative clinical course in children undergoing mastoidectomy due to complicated acute mastoiditis

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07149-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the immediate post-operative course and outcome of pediatric patients with complicated acute mastoiditis (CAM) following surgical treatment.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with CAM who underwent mastoid surgery during 2012-2019 in a tertiary care university hospital. 33 patients, divided into 2 groups: 17 patients with sub-periosteal abscess (SPA) alone-single complication group (SCG) and 16 patients with SPA and additional complications: sigmoid sinus thrombosis (SST), peri-sinus fluid/abscess, epidural/subdural abscess, and acute meningitis-multiple complications group (MCG).

RESULTS: 33 patients belong to the SCG 17(51%) and 16(49%) belonged to the MCG, respectively. 6/17(35.3%) SCG patients experienced POF vs. 12/16(75%) in the MCG (P = 0.012). At post-operative day 2 (POD2), 10/13(77%) febrile patients belonged to MCG and 3/13(23%) to SCG (P = 0.013). POF was recorded until POD6 in both groups. Seven patients, all from MCG with POF, underwent second imaging with no new findings; a total of 18 positive cultures were reported. Fusobacterium necrophorum counted for 8/18(44.5%) of all positive cultures, 7/9(77.8%) in the MCG vs. 1/9(11.1%) in the SCG, P = 0.004. Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported only in SCG (5/9, 55.5%, vs. 0/9, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: Post-mastoidectomy fever due to CAM is not unusual and seems to be a benign condition for the first 5-6 days, following surgery. MCG patients are more prone to develop POF. F. necrophorum is more likely to be associated with MCG, and S. pneumoniae is common in SCG patients.

PMID:34714371 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07149-x

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Electrically Induced Blink for the Prevention of Ocular Symptoms and Blurred Vision in Patients With Acute Facial Nerve Palsy

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Oct 29:1455613211048576. doi: 10.1177/01455613211048576. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Facial nerve palsy causes blurred vision and ocular discomfort due to deficits in blinking and eye closure. The objective of this study was to determine whether eye-blinks could be elicited by electrical stimulation and whether electrically induced blink would have an effect on the visual acuity and ocular symptoms in patients with acute facial nerve palsy. Methods: The zygomatic branch of the facial nerve of fifteen participants with acute facial nerve palsy was electrically stimulated in order to elicit a blink. In successful cases, the participant proceeded with a two-hour TV watching session in which an electrically induced blink was delivered every 5 seconds. The control condition consisted of an otherwise similar TV watching session without electrically induced blinking. Subjective ocular symptoms were evaluated with a Dry Eye Questionnaire and visual acuity was assessed with a Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) chart before and after both sessions. Results: The stimulation produced a blink in 8 participants (53%). The visual acuity in the affected eye decreased during the control session, whereas no significant change occurred during the stimulation session. The ocular symptoms were significantly reduced during the stimulation session. Conclusions: Electrically elicited blink is a promising method for reducing the eye symptoms in individuals with acute facial nerve palsy.

PMID:34714168 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211048576

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Extensive Parapharyngeal Abscess in a 4-Month-Old Infant

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Oct 29:1455613211049854. doi: 10.1177/01455613211049854. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Parapharyngeal abscess in an infant is a very rare condition. We present the case of a 4-month-old girl with large masses on the neck's left side. Computed tomography showed an extensive parapharyngeal abscess. Left tonsillectomy was performed under general anesthesia from a transoral approach, followed by an incision and evacuation of the abscess from the parapha ryngeal space. Microbiological analysis identified a massive occurrence of Streptococcus intermedius.

PMID:34714174 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211049854

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Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential in Adults With Cochlear Implants: A Comparison With Adults With Normal Hearing

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J Audiol Otol. 2021 Nov 1. doi: 10.7874/jao.2021.00339. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the maturational status of the auditory cortex in adults with cochlear implants (CIs) using the latencies of the P1, N1, and P2 components of cortical auditory-evoked potentials (CAEPs).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 adults with CIs and 25 age-matched, normal-hearing control subjects participated in this study. Specifically, patients with CIs were divided into three groups depending on their age of deafness onset: Group A comprised patients with prelingual deafness who had received CI during early childhood (n=7), Group B comprised patients with early childhood-onset, progressive deafness who had received CI during childhood (n=6), and Group C comprised patients with adult-onset deafness (n=12). The P1, N1, and P2 latencies of their CAEPs were then compared between CI patients and normal-hearing subjects.

RESULTS: All participants showed clear CAEP responses. P1 and N1 latencies in Group A and Group C patients were significantly longer than those in the control group. Meanwhile, Group B patients had significantly longer N1 and P2 latencies, as compared with those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prelingual deafness and those with early-childhood onset, progressive deafness who received CI developed primary and higher-order auditory areas postoperatively when they became adults. However, their auditory cortex maturational statuses seemed to be worse than that of normal-hearing individuals. Furthermore, adult patients with late-onset deafness might experience degenerative auditory cortex changes during the auditory deprivation period between deafness onset and cochlear implantation.

PMID:34719150 | DOI:10.7874/jao.2021.00339

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Comparison of the effects of platelet-rich plasma and dexamethasone ınjection on scar formation after vocal fold ınjury in rabbits

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Oct 30. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-07154-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In this study, a histopathological comparison was aimed between platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and dexamethasone injection in the prevention of scar formation after vocal fold injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electrocautery was applied to damage the right and left vocal folds of a total of 12 New Zealand rabbits. PRP obtained from the rabbit's own blood was injected into the right vocal fold, and dexamethasone was injected into the left vocal fold. After 8 weeks, the experimental animals were euthanized, and the levels of inflammatory cell infiltration, vascularization, collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (HA) were compared in histopathological evaluation.

RESULTS: In statistical comparison of histopathological data obtained; in terms of plasma cell infiltration, vascularization, and edema parameters, statistically significant results were obtained in favor of the PRP group. Although the difference between collagen, elastin and HA, which are critical in vocal fold scar healing, was more positive in favor of PRP, no significant result was revealed in the statistical evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: PRP injection in rabbits with vocal fold damage reveals similar characteristics with dexamethasone injection in preventing scar formation. PRP injection has favorable effects on vascularization, prevention of edema, and number of plasma cells.

PMID:34718850 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-07154-0

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