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Widely Used in Asia, Cilostazol Appears Effective for Long-Term Secondary Stroke Prevention

Cilostazol is a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor widely used in Asia for secondary stroke prevention but approved for use in North America only for symptomatic peripheral vascular disease. It has been theorized that cilostazol might be beneficial in preventing the progression of small vessel disease in the brain and, therefore, may have a secondary effect in preventing vascular dementia.

Treatment of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion with Intravenous Thrombolysis

Central retinal artery occlusion is a serious threat to vision caused by interruption of the blood supply to the retina and leading to sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye. For 30 years there have been anecdotal reports and small case series suggesting that intravenous thrombolysis might be beneficial in this disorder, but none of the stroke treatment guidelines have incorporated thrombolysis as definitive treatment for this disorder.

Anticoagulation in Patients with Ischemic Stroke Related to Atrial Fibrillation, Following Reperfusion Therapy

Following ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, the timing to restart anticoagulation treatment is uncertain and controversial. In addition, there is little data available regarding timing to restart anticoagulation following reperfusion therapy with either systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy.

Brachial Plexopathy Localization in Patients with Cancer

Brachial plexopathy associated with cancer may involve any region of the brachial plexus and can be distinguished from radiation-induced brachial plexopathy only by the use of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

Clinical Trials of IL-6 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients, satralizumab monotherapy demonstrated a decrease in relapse rate when compared to placebo. In a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial of tocilizumab vs. azathioprine, treatment with tocilizumab demonstrated a decreased risk of a relapse compared to azathioprine.

Endovascular Treatment for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Is Safe and Effective

Patients with acute basilar artery occlusion treated by endovascular therapy within 24 hours of occlusion time had better functional outcomes and reduced mortality compared to those treated with medical therapy alone.

MRI and Clinical Correlation in Lumbar Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis, a feared complication of various spinal surgeries and procedures, shows a variety of nonspecific abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging investigation, but there are no specific imaging features that predict prognosis.

Deep Brain Stimulation of the Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical Network May Be an Option for Refractory OCD

Deep brain stimulation can be a treatment option for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the results are not significantly better than lesioning procedures. Small sample sizes, diverse targets of stimulation, and inconsistencies in rating scales are limiting factors in the studies of this modality.

Preventing and Treating Medication Overuse Headache

Patients with migraine who have an insufficient response to acute treatment medications, including triptans, risk developing medication overuse headache (MOH). The most successful treatment for MOH is withdrawal of the offending acute pain medications combined with early use of a migraine preventative medication.

Epilepsy 2020: At the Crossroads of Telemedicine and Smartphone Technology

In this study, the investigators show the diagnostic value of video smartphone technology with regard to a seizure diagnosis as well as the ability of smartphone video to help distinguish epileptic seizures from nonepileptic events.