Neurologic complications are relatively common after solid organ transplantation and affect 15%-30%of liver transplant recipients.Etiology is often related to immunosuppressant neurotoxicity and opportunistic infectio...Neurologic complications are relatively common after solid organ transplantation and affect 15%-30%of liver transplant recipients.Etiology is often related to immunosuppressant neurotoxicity and opportunistic infections.Most common complications include seizures and encephalopathy,and occurrence of central pontine myelinolysis is relatively specific for liver transplant recipients.Delayed allograft function may precipitate hepatic encephalopathy and neurotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors typically manifests with tremor,headaches and encephalopathy.Reduction of neurotoxic immunosuppressants or conversion to an alternative medication usually result in clinical improvement.Standard preventive and diagnostic protocols have helped to reduce the prevalence of opportunistic central nervous system(CNS)infections,but viral and fungal CNS infections still affect 1%of liver transplant recipients,and the morbidity and mortality in the affected patients remain fairly high.Critical illness myopathy may also affect up to 7%of liver transplant recipients.Liver insufficiency is also associated with various neurologic disorders which may improve or resolve after successful liver transplantation.Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to improve outcomes,while advances in clinical management and extended post-transplant survival are increasingly shifting the focus to chronic post-transplant complications which are often encountered in a community hospital and an outpatient setting.展开更多
Background Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis is a worldwide-existing parasitic disease. However, the relevant reports on its radiological appearances are limited. In this study, we investigated magnetic resonance imaging...Background Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis is a worldwide-existing parasitic disease. However, the relevant reports on its radiological appearances are limited. In this study, we investigated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in a group of consecutive patients caused by human infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis after eating freshwater snails. Methods We performed brain MR imaging on 74 patients with angiostrongyliasis cantonensis. The scanner was a 0.5T unit. For each patient MR pulse sequences of $E Tl-weighted image (TlWl) and FSE T2-weighted image (T2Wl) were used. After intravenous administration of gadolinium chelate (Gd-DTPA) repeated Tl-weighted images were obtained. MRI features of the lesions in the brain and meninges were analyzed and recorded after observing initial and follow-up MR images. The classification of the types of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis infection was done on the basis of locations of the disorders. Results Forty-one (55%) normal and 33 (45%) abnormal MRI appearances in the brain were found. According to locations of the disorders, the types of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis infection were determined as follows: seventeen cases of type meningitis, three of type myeloencephalitis, one of type neuritis and twelve of mixed type (eight of type ventriculitis and five of type pneumonitis were among them). In type meningitis, abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement was visualized. In type myeloencephalitis, lesions in the brain parenchyma may have iso- or slightly low signal intensity on TlWl and high signal intensity on T2Wl. Enhanced nodules in various shapes were shown on gadolinium-enhanced TlWl, a few lesions appeared as crescent enhancements and some lesions did not reveal abnormal enhancement. Other than brain lesions, an enhanced nodule was seen in the cervical spinal cord in one patient. In type ventriculitis, brain ventricular enlargement was demonstrated. In type neuritis, a nodule and abnormal enhancement展开更多
Neurobrucellosis is a rare form of localized brucellosis usually with no systemic manifestations. We report a rare case of brucellosis presenting as meningoencephalitis associated with hydrocephalus.This patient had a...Neurobrucellosis is a rare form of localized brucellosis usually with no systemic manifestations. We report a rare case of brucellosis presenting as meningoencephalitis associated with hydrocephalus.This patient had a lymphocytic predominant CSF and was initially treated with empirical anti tubercular therapy and steroids.A week later,when his CSF culture grew Brucella species,the treatment was changed to a combination of streptomycin,doxycycline and rifampicin and the patient improved with this therapy.This case illustrates the need to consider neurobrucellosis as a close differential diagnosis of neurotuberculosis in endemic areas when the patient presents with meningo encephalitis with lymphocytic CSF.展开更多
Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic,free-living ameba that is commonly known as the“brain-eating ameba.”This parasite invades the central nervous system and causes an acute fulminant infection,which results in a fat...Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic,free-living ameba that is commonly known as the“brain-eating ameba.”This parasite invades the central nervous system and causes an acute fulminant infection,which results in a fatal form of primary amebic meningoencephalitis(PAM).Here,we report a case of PAM by an unexpected transmission route.Regrettably,the patient deteriorated swiftly and passed away subsequent to diagnosis,despite our exhaustive efforts.Here,we compiled a summary of 11 cases of PAM survivors who have all been treated with amphotericin,rifampicin and triazoles.Beside this regimen,miltefosine was also used successfully to treat PAM in an adolescent.More precise understanding of the survival rate and contributing factors can be established with further validation on ad-ditional cases.展开更多
文摘Neurologic complications are relatively common after solid organ transplantation and affect 15%-30%of liver transplant recipients.Etiology is often related to immunosuppressant neurotoxicity and opportunistic infections.Most common complications include seizures and encephalopathy,and occurrence of central pontine myelinolysis is relatively specific for liver transplant recipients.Delayed allograft function may precipitate hepatic encephalopathy and neurotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors typically manifests with tremor,headaches and encephalopathy.Reduction of neurotoxic immunosuppressants or conversion to an alternative medication usually result in clinical improvement.Standard preventive and diagnostic protocols have helped to reduce the prevalence of opportunistic central nervous system(CNS)infections,but viral and fungal CNS infections still affect 1%of liver transplant recipients,and the morbidity and mortality in the affected patients remain fairly high.Critical illness myopathy may also affect up to 7%of liver transplant recipients.Liver insufficiency is also associated with various neurologic disorders which may improve or resolve after successful liver transplantation.Accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to improve outcomes,while advances in clinical management and extended post-transplant survival are increasingly shifting the focus to chronic post-transplant complications which are often encountered in a community hospital and an outpatient setting.
文摘Background Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis is a worldwide-existing parasitic disease. However, the relevant reports on its radiological appearances are limited. In this study, we investigated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in a group of consecutive patients caused by human infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis after eating freshwater snails. Methods We performed brain MR imaging on 74 patients with angiostrongyliasis cantonensis. The scanner was a 0.5T unit. For each patient MR pulse sequences of $E Tl-weighted image (TlWl) and FSE T2-weighted image (T2Wl) were used. After intravenous administration of gadolinium chelate (Gd-DTPA) repeated Tl-weighted images were obtained. MRI features of the lesions in the brain and meninges were analyzed and recorded after observing initial and follow-up MR images. The classification of the types of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis infection was done on the basis of locations of the disorders. Results Forty-one (55%) normal and 33 (45%) abnormal MRI appearances in the brain were found. According to locations of the disorders, the types of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis infection were determined as follows: seventeen cases of type meningitis, three of type myeloencephalitis, one of type neuritis and twelve of mixed type (eight of type ventriculitis and five of type pneumonitis were among them). In type meningitis, abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement was visualized. In type myeloencephalitis, lesions in the brain parenchyma may have iso- or slightly low signal intensity on TlWl and high signal intensity on T2Wl. Enhanced nodules in various shapes were shown on gadolinium-enhanced TlWl, a few lesions appeared as crescent enhancements and some lesions did not reveal abnormal enhancement. Other than brain lesions, an enhanced nodule was seen in the cervical spinal cord in one patient. In type ventriculitis, brain ventricular enlargement was demonstrated. In type neuritis, a nodule and abnormal enhancement
文摘Neurobrucellosis is a rare form of localized brucellosis usually with no systemic manifestations. We report a rare case of brucellosis presenting as meningoencephalitis associated with hydrocephalus.This patient had a lymphocytic predominant CSF and was initially treated with empirical anti tubercular therapy and steroids.A week later,when his CSF culture grew Brucella species,the treatment was changed to a combination of streptomycin,doxycycline and rifampicin and the patient improved with this therapy.This case illustrates the need to consider neurobrucellosis as a close differential diagnosis of neurotuberculosis in endemic areas when the patient presents with meningo encephalitis with lymphocytic CSF.
文摘Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic,free-living ameba that is commonly known as the“brain-eating ameba.”This parasite invades the central nervous system and causes an acute fulminant infection,which results in a fatal form of primary amebic meningoencephalitis(PAM).Here,we report a case of PAM by an unexpected transmission route.Regrettably,the patient deteriorated swiftly and passed away subsequent to diagnosis,despite our exhaustive efforts.Here,we compiled a summary of 11 cases of PAM survivors who have all been treated with amphotericin,rifampicin and triazoles.Beside this regimen,miltefosine was also used successfully to treat PAM in an adolescent.More precise understanding of the survival rate and contributing factors can be established with further validation on ad-ditional cases.