Recurrent amnesia caused by early seizures after hippocampal infarction: a case report

Background We report the case of a patient with recurrent episodes of disturbed memory suggestive of transient epileptic amnesia, and a focal hippocampal lesion typically associated with transient global amnesia. We argue how careful consideration of clinical, electrophysiological and imaging findings can resolve this apparent contradiction and lead to a diagnosis of early symptomatic post-stroke seizures that links brain structure to function in a new, clinically relevant way. Case presentation A 70-year-old patient was identified in clinical practice in our tertiary care centre and was evaluated clinically as well as by repeated electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging. The presenting complaint were recurrent episodes of short-term memory disturbance which manifested as isolated anterograde amnesia on neurocognitive evaluation. EEG and MRI revealed predominantly right frontotemporal spikes and a punctate diffusion-restricted lesion in the left hippocampus, respectively. Both symptoms and EEG changes subsided under anticonvulsant treatment with levetiracetam. Conclusions Our report contributes to the current discussion of clinical challenges in the differential diagnosis of transient memory disturbance. It suggests that focal diffusion-restricted hippocampal lesions, as seen in TGA, might be ischemic and thus highlights the importance of considering post-stroke seizures as a possible cause of transient memory disturbance.

Diaphragm Sellae Meningioma: Distinct Clinical, Anatomic, and Surgical Considerations: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Nestled in the parasellar region, surrounded by critical neurovascular structures, diaphragm sellae meningiomas although rare present distinct clinical, radiological, and surgical considerations.1-3 Consequently, they present surgical challenges that could be overcome with technical nuances. The origin of this meningioma on the diaphragm creates a distorted anatomy, which must be comprehended for the safe approach and resection. Three distinct subtypes of diaphragm sellae meningiomas are described, each with distinctive clinical presentations and surgical treatment implications.2 Type A originates from the upper leaf of diaphragm sellae pushing the stalk posteriorly. It usually presents with unilateral visual loss. Type B originates from the upper leaf of the diaphragm sellae pushing the stalk anteriorly. It presents with few visual symptoms, but memory disturbance and hypopituitarism are common. Type C originates from the inferior leaf of the diaphragm sellae (intrasellar meningioma) presenting with bitemporal hemianopsia and hypopituitarism. Recognizing these variations in this rare tumor subtype is critical to minimizing potential adverse outcomes associated with operative treatment. The cranial approach has been the recommended route for these lesions with an exception of the intrasellar type.1,3 In this article, we depict the pathological anatomy and demonstrate the surgical nuances in handling diaphragm sellae meningioma resection through a cranio-orbital approach4 in a patient who had an unsuccessful trans-sphenoidal resection attempt. The patient consented for the procedure. Image at 1:38 from Al-Mefty O, Operative Atlas of Meningiomas, © LWW, 1997, with permission. Image at 8:56 from Kinjo et al,2 Diaphragma sellae meningiomas, case reports, Neurosurgery, 1995, 36(6), 1082-1092, by permission of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by buttock augmentation with silicone

A 37-year-old lady presented to Rheumatology with a three-year history of arthralgia, night sweats, and bilateral swollen buttocks. She described unusual levels of fatigue, memory disturbance and low-grade fevers without lymphadenopathy. She had silicone buttock augmentation 10 years earlier. Inflammatory markers, ANA, ENA, ANCA, ACE, immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses were normal; urinalysis was negative. Pelvic MRI demonstrated extensive abnormal signal change in keeping with silicone deposition within the buttocks, and an inflammatory response extending into the gluteus maximus muscles and surrounding subcutaneous fat. Areas of reduced T2 signal suggested a secondary granulomatous reaction.

Conversion Reaction after a Traumatic Brain Injury

KLS, also called recurrent hypersomnia, is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia associated with cognitive and behavioral disturbances such as confusion, derealisation, apathy, compulsive eating, and hypersexuality. In this article, we aim to present a case with a history of traumatic brain injury who had been suffering from memory disturbance and came in an unresponsive state. He met several therapists and hospitalized several times. Through reviewing his history, we point out some diagnosis and discuss the probable effect of stressful life events on such patients with impaired memory system. The patient has received these medications during hospitalization in neurology ward pantoprazole 40mg po Qd, amantadine 100mg po BID, modafinil 100mg po TID in addition to diazepam and heparin in bedside. In this case, combination therapy and using hypnosis with family support and cooperation in several medical visits seems to be effective for early treatment.

The syndrome of transient epileptic amnesia: a combined series of 115 cases and literature review

The term Transient Epileptic Amnesia was coined in 1990 to describe a form of epilepsy causing predominantly amnestic seizures which could be confused with episodes of Transient Global Amnesia. Subsequent descriptions have highlighted its association with ‘atypical’ forms of memory disturbance including accelerated long-term forgetting, disproportionate autobiographical amnesia and topographical amnesia. However, this highly treatment responsive condition remains under-recognised and undertreated. We describe the clinical and neuropsychological features in 65 consecutive cases of transient epileptic amnesia referred to our study, comparing these to our previous cohort of 50 patients and to those reported in 102 literature cases described since our 2008 review. Findings in our two cohorts are substantially consistent: the onset of transient epileptic amnesia occurs at an average age of 62 years, giving rise to amnestic episodes at a frequency of around 1/month, typically lasting 15-30 minutes and often occurring on waking. Amnesia is the only manifestation of epilepsy in 24% of patients; olfactory hallucinations occur in 43%, motor automatisms in 41%, brief unresponsiveness in 39%. The majority of patients describe at least one of the atypical forms of memory disturbance mentioned above; easily provoked tearfulness is a common accompanying feature. There is a male predominance (85:30). Epileptiform changes were present in 35% of cases, while suspected causative MRI abnormalities were detected in only 5%. Seizures ceased with anticonvulsant treatment in 93% of cases. Some clinical features were detected more commonly in the second series than the first, probably as a result of heightened awareness. Neuropsychological testing and comparison to two age and IQ-matched control groups (n = 24 and 22) revealed consistent findings across the two cohorts, namely elevated mean IQ, preserved executive function, mild impairment at the group level on standard measures of memory, with additional evidence for accelerated long-term forgetting and autobiographical amnesia, particularly affecting episodic recollection. Review of the literature cases revealed broadly consistent features except that topographical amnesia, olfactory hallucinations and emotionality have been reported rarely to date by other researchers. We conclude that transient epileptic amnesia is a distinctive syndrome of late-onset limbic epilepsy of unknown cause, typically occurring in late middle age. It is an important, treatable cause of memory loss in older people, often mistaken for dementia, cerebrovascular disease and functional amnesia. Its aetiology, the monthly occurrence of seizures in some patients and the mechanisms and interrelationships of the interictal features – amnestic and affective – all warrant further study.

Combined simultaneous endoscopic endonasal and microscopic transventricular surgery using a port retractor system for giant pituitary adenoma: A technical case report

Background: We report a case of a giant pituitary adenoma with marked extension into the third ventricle that was successfully removed using combined simultaneous endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and microscopic transventricular port surgery. Case Description: A 47-year-old woman, who complained of memory disturbance, had a giant pituitary adenoma with marked extension into the third ventricle that was causing obstructive hydrocephalus. She underwent combined EES and microscopic transventricular surgery using a port retractor system. Most of the tumor was resected from the EES side with assistance from the transcranial side with minimum cortical trajectory damage. The tumor was completely excised without any complications. Conclusion: For giant pituitary adenoma with marked extension into the third ventricle, combined simultaneous EES and transventricular surgery using a port retractor system is effective to maximize the extent of tumor resection while also preventing complications. Using port surgery on the transcranial side, microscopic secure dissection is possible with minimum additional cortical damage.

Clinical and Radiological Features of Adult Onset Bilateral Medial Frontal Cerebral Cortical Encephalitis With Anti-myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody

Objective: To clarify the clinical and radiological features of adult onset anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated bilateral medial frontal cerebral cortical encephalitis (BFCCE).Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature for patients with anti-MOG antibody-associated BFCCE. Patients who were also positive for other encephalitis-related autoantibodies were excluded from the study. The frequency of several characteristic neurological symptoms and lesion distributions were analyzed.Results: We identified six patients with anti-MOG antibody-associated BFCCE. Among them, 6/6 had headache, 4/6 had fever, 3/6 had seizure, 2/6 had paraparesis, 2/6 had lethargy, and 2/6 had memory disturbance. CSF pleocytosis was observed in 5/6 patients, while CSF myelin basic protein was not elevated in any of the six patients. On brain MRI, 6/6 had bilateral medial frontal cortical lesions, 3/6 had corpus callosum lesions, and 3/6 had leptomeningeal enhancements. Most of the lesions were distributed in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA).Conclusion: Our results indicate that anti-MOG antibody-associated BFCCE presents with characteristic clinical symptoms and MRI findings, which might reflect lesion formation in the ACA territory.

The Coexistence of Olfactory Groove with Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma Presenting with Anosmia: Case Report

Introduction: Meningiomas are the third most common intracranial tumors in adults after glial tumors and metastases. Olfactory groove meningiomas often grow without symptoms due to their slow growth rates and location in the frontal lobe. Optic nerve sheath meningiomas are benign neoplasms of the meninges surrounding the optic nerve. The coexistence of olfactory groove and optic nerve sheath meningiomas without any history of neurofibromatosis or radiotherapy has never been reported in the literature. Case Report: A 36-year-old female patient presenting with anosmia, headache, memory disturbance, and visual impairment and operated with the diagnosis of olfactory groove meningioma was reported. In the postoperative period, optic nerve sheath meningioma was detected in the imaging performed due to the persistence of visual impairment. Conclusion: Olfactory groove and optic nerve sheath meningiomas are rare tumors and can be diagnosed late because they progress slowly. Early diagnosis and treatment may affect the prognosis and morbidity of these patients favorably.