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Case Reports in Pediatrics 2024is an inhabitant of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, known to cause deep-seated abscesses. Thereby, we present a previously healthy adolescent with...
is an inhabitant of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, known to cause deep-seated abscesses. Thereby, we present a previously healthy adolescent with esophageal perforation (EP) and secondary mediastinal and brain abscesses due to . EP is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires a prompt diagnosis.
PubMed: 38756504
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5593403 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia 2024
Topics: Humans; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral; Male; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Crystallization; Renal Insufficiency; Adult; Crystalluria
PubMed: 38739000
DOI: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2023-0151en -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Mar 2024Neurological manifestations are one of the major concerns for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The secondary spectrum includes space-occupying lesions...
BACKGROUND
Neurological manifestations are one of the major concerns for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The secondary spectrum includes space-occupying lesions (SOL), including tuberculoma, cryptococcosis, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
AIM
To assess the neurological manifestations, disease outcome, and their associations with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts in patients with HIV.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This single-center, prospective, observational study was performed in the Department of General Medicine of a tertiary care institute, over a period of 2 years (January 2017 to December 2018). The study included 150 known or newly diagnosed HIV patients with CNS SOL. The physical examination, laboratory investigations, and imaging were conducted on every patient, and the findings were noted.
RESULTS
The patients mainly presented with hemiparesis (52%), had involvement of the frontal region (38.7%), and were diagnosed with tuberculoma (29.3%). Other diagnoses were toxoplasmosis (22.7%), PML (17.3%), PCNSL (15.3%), brain abscess (10%), and neurocysticercosis (5.3%). Of 150 patients, 136 (90.7%) were survivors, while 14 (9.3%) were non-survivors. The mean CD4 count was significantly less in patients with toxoplasmosis ( < 0.0001) and PCNSL ( = 0.02), and significantly higher in patients with tuberculoma ( < 0.0001) and brain abscess ( = 0.0009) relative to other causes of SOL. Moreover, the mean CD4 count was not significantly associated with survivors and non-survivors ( = 0.28).
CONCLUSION
In patients with HIV, CD4 count was significantly low in toxoplasmosis and PCNSL, and high in tuberculoma and brain abscess.
PubMed: 38736804
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1180_23 -
Polish Archives of Internal Medicine May 2024
PubMed: 38726997
DOI: 10.20452/pamw.16745 -
SA Journal of Radiology 2024Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare congenital malformation characterised by arteriovenous fistulas between primitive choroidal arteries and the...
UNLABELLED
Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare congenital malformation characterised by arteriovenous fistulas between primitive choroidal arteries and the median prosencephalic vein, the embryonic precursor to the vein of Galen. Endovascular techniques have changed the management of these patients with improved prognosis. An eight-month-old with VGAM managed by endovascular embolisation using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) developed a chemical abscess - a rare complication. It was managed conservatively and showed promising clinical outcome.
CONTRIBUTION
Chemical abscesses following EVOH embolisation are scarce - with imaging differentials, which include brain abscess and onyx granuloma. Knowledge and successful identification of this entity are essential as its management as prognoses differ. Chemical abscess is managed conservatively and has a good prognosis.
PubMed: 38725970
DOI: 10.4102/sajr.v28i1.2841 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024We report a very rare case of Listeria multiple brain abscesses manifested as delirium, which represented diagnostic and therapeutic challenges overcome only by the...
We report a very rare case of Listeria multiple brain abscesses manifested as delirium, which represented diagnostic and therapeutic challenges overcome only by the close cooperation between Infectious Diseases and Neuroradiology, without which a satisfactory outcome would not be achieved.An elderly man presented with confusion and drowsiness with a background of type-II diabetes mellitus. Although computed tomography of the brain only showed frontal lobe oedema, contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed numerous irregular rim-enhancing lesions containing central diffusion restriction, suggesting multiple pyogenic cerebral abscesses of unclear aetiology. Thereafter, Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from blood cultures, suggesting this as the causative organism. Deemed unsuitable for neurosurgical drainage, the patient received medical management with a protracted course of antibiotics. This case was extremely challenging, due to 1) the impossibility of source control, 2) the small number of effective antibiotics available to treat this condition, and 3) the inevitable antibiotic side-effects, derived from long-term exposure. A successful outcome was only possible thanks to strict close multidisciplinary follow up, requiring frequent MR imaging and a judicious antibiotic choice, including monitoring of their side-effects. Due to the rarity of this condition, there is lack of guidance on its management, hence the importance of multidisciplinary involvement with very close imaging and antibiotic monitoring.
Topics: Humans; Male; Brain Abscess; Listeriosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Listeria monocytogenes; Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Brain; Delirium
PubMed: 38720244
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09295-z -
Scientific Reports May 2024Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that infects approximately one-third of the global human population, often leading to chronic infection. While...
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that infects approximately one-third of the global human population, often leading to chronic infection. While acute T. gondii infection can cause neural damage in the central nervous system and result in toxoplasmic encephalitis, the consequences of T. gondii chronic infection (TCI) are generally asymptomatic. However, emerging evidence suggests that TCI may be linked to behavioral changes or mental disorders in hosts. Astrocyte polarization, particularly the A1 subtype associated with neuronal apoptosis, has been identified in various neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the role of astrocyte polarization in TCI still needs to be better understood. This study aimed to establish a mouse model of chronic TCI and examine the transcription and expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), C3, C1q, IL-1α, and TNF-α in the brain tissues of the mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting were employed to assess these levels. Additionally, the expression level of the A1 astrocyte-specific marker C3 was evaluated using indirect fluorescent assay (IFA). In mice with TCI, the transcriptional and expression levels of the inflammatory factors C1q, IL-1α, and TNF-α followed an up-down-up pattern, although they remained elevated compared to the control group. These findings suggest a potential association between astrocyte polarization towards the A1 subtype and synchronized changes in these three inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, immunofluorescence assay (IFA) revealed a significant increase in the A1 astrocytes (GFAPC3) proportion in TCI mice. This study provides evidence that TCI can induce astrocyte polarization, a biological process that may be influenced by changes in the levels of three inflammatory factors: C1q, IL-1α, and TNF-α. Additionally, the release of neurotoxic substances by A1 astrocytes may be associated with the development of TCI.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Mice; Toxoplasma; Brain; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Chronic Disease; Cell Polarity; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Toxoplasmosis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral
PubMed: 38714696
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60304-2 -
Neurosurgical Review May 2024Otitis media and sinusitis are common childhood infections, typically mild with good outcomes. Recent studies show a rise in intracranial abscess cases in children,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The association of COVID-19 pandemic with the increase of sinogenic and otogenic intracranial infections in children: a 10-year retrospective comparative single-center study.
OBJECTIVE
Otitis media and sinusitis are common childhood infections, typically mild with good outcomes. Recent studies show a rise in intracranial abscess cases in children, raising concerns about a link to COVID-19. This study compares a decade of data on these cases before and after the pandemic.
METHODS
This retrospective comparative analysis includes pediatric patients diagnosed with otitis media and sinusitis, who later developed intracranial abscesses over the past decade. We collected comprehensive data on the number of cases, patient demographics, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes.
RESULTS
Between January 2013 and July 2023, our center identified 10 pediatric patients (median age 11.1years, range 2.2-18.0 years, 60% male) with intracranial abscesses from otitis media and sinusitis. Of these, 7 cases (70%, median age 9.7 years, range 2.2-18.0 years) occurred since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the remaining 3 cases (30%, median age 13.3 years, range 9.9-16.7 years) were treated before the pandemic. No significant differences were found in otolaryngological associations, surgical interventions, preoperative symptoms, lab findings, or postoperative antibiotics between the two groups. All patients showed positive long-term recovery.
CONCLUSION
This study reveals 5-fold increase of pediatric otogenic and sinogenic intracranial abscess cases in the last three-years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While further investigation is needed, these findings raise important questions about potential connections between the pandemic and the severity of otitis media and sinusitis complications in children. Understanding these associations can improve pediatric healthcare management during infectious disease outbreaks.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Child; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Otitis Media; Sinusitis; Brain Abscess; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics
PubMed: 38713418
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02442-9 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis is a post-primary form of tuberculosis. It has high mortality and morbidity rates despite early diagnosis and treatment. CNS... (Review)
Review
Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis is a post-primary form of tuberculosis. It has high mortality and morbidity rates despite early diagnosis and treatment. CNS tuberculosis can manifest as subacute/chronic meningitis, parenchymal tuberculous lesions, and spinal tuberculosis. Hematogenous spread of tuberculous bacilli to the brain results in the development of so called "rich foci" on the pial surface, ependyma, and grey-white matter junction. Rupture of these "rich foci" into the subarachnoid space triggers an intense granulomatous inflammatory reaction. Tuberculous meningitis can manifest as leptomeningitis or pachymeningitis. Intracranial parenchymal tuberculous lesions may present as tuberculoma, tuberculous abscess, cerebritis, rhombencephalitis, and encephalopathy, with atypical presentations not uncommon. Complications of CNS tuberculosis encompass hydrocephalus, syrinx formation, vasculitis, infarcts, neuritis, and enduring neurological deficits. Post-contrast 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and post-contrast T1 spin-echo sequences excel in detecting tuberculous meningitis compared to other conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. In proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PMRS), the presence of a lipid peak at 1.3 ppm is indicative of tuberculous lesions. Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging enhances the detection of tuberculous lesions, as the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of tuberculous pathologies, owing to their high lipid content, is lower than that in bacterial or fungal pathologies and higher than that in viral pathologies. This review article delves into the various typical and atypical imaging presentations of CNS tuberculosis in MRI, along with recent advances in imaging techniques.
PubMed: 38699716
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29779 -
European Journal of Medical Research May 2024Pituitary abscess (PA) accounts for only 0.3-0.5% of sellar masses, and the lack of specific clinical symptoms makes diagnosing PA difficult without a surgical biopsy....
OBJECTIVES
Pituitary abscess (PA) accounts for only 0.3-0.5% of sellar masses, and the lack of specific clinical symptoms makes diagnosing PA difficult without a surgical biopsy. In clinical practice, PA is often mistaken for cystic pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, and Rathke's cyst. Thus, this study aims to investigate challenges in diagnosing PA and evaluate the importance of combining intraoperative surgery with postoperative antibiotic treatment.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 19 patients diagnosed with PA through histopathology. All patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenomas after undergoing comprehensive preoperative evaluations, including routine tests, endocrine assay, and imaging examination. Furthermore, we compared different treatments for pituitary abscess (PA) to determine the most effective approach for achieving a favorable prognosis.
RESULTS
The most prevalent symptom of PA was headache, especially in the frontal-temporal and vertex regions, ranging from mild to moderate severity. Hypopituitarism-related symptoms were also frequently observed, including hypaphrodisia, cold sensitivity, fatigue, weight loss, polyuria, and amenorrhea. Twelve patients exhibited abnormalities in endocrinology examinations. Diagnosing PA correctly is challenging. In our study, none of the patients were correctly diagnosed with PA prior to surgery, and many sellar lesions were misdiagnosed. The favorable prognosis was largely attributed to surgical intervention and active postoperative antibiotic therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the lack of clarity in preoperative diagnosis, typical intraoperative findings and effective antibiotics treatment are more indicative of the correct diagnosis than other tests. In terms of therapy, optimal surgical intervention and active postoperative antibiotic treatment contribute to resolving the challenges posed by PA.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Pituitary Diseases; Aged; Pituitary Neoplasms; Brain Abscess; Abscess; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38698484
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01749-z