Abstract Background: Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) presents with consciousness impairment, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and areflexia. Objective: We aim to describe the clinical, paraclinical, and imaging features of patients with BBE from a tertiary-referral neurological center. Methods: A case series was conducted from an ambispective cohort of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) from 2016 to 2021. Subjects ≥ 18 years and who met Odaka et al. BBE criteria were eligible. Data collected included: age, gender, prior infection, Guillain-Barré disability score (GDS score), time from symptom onset to diagnosis, altered mental state, time from symptom onset to altered mental state, cranial nerve involvement, deep tendon reflexes, ataxia, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement, treatment, inpatient delirium, length of stay (days), and protein levels in CSF analysis. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed, as well as neuroimaging (brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and F18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT). Antiganglioside antibodies panel including anti-GQ1b was solicited. Results: Four patients (1.7%) met the inclusion criteria. Two patients manifested stupor and two showed somnolence throughout the course of the disease. Three patients required IMV due to bulbar dysfunction. None of the NCS met the criteria for any GBS electrophysiological variant. One patient was positive for IgM GM2 antibodies. One patient underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT, showing generalized cortical hypometabolism. Conclusion: The frequency of BBE in our population is very low (1.7%). IgM GM2 is another anti-ganglioside antibody related to BBE. Imaging studies such as MRI frequently do not present abnormalities and [F18-FDG-PET scan might be a useful study to describe a metabolism pattern to aid the diagnosis of BBE.

Resumen Antecedentes: La encefalitis de Bickerstaff (EB) se presenta con alteración del nivel de consciencia, ataxia, oftalmoplejia y arreflexia. Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo es describir las características clínicas, paraclínicas e imagenológicas de pacientes con EB en un centro neurológico de referencia de tercer nivel. Métodos: Se realizó una serie de casos de una cohorte ambispectiva de pacientes con Guillain Barré (GB) desde 2016 hasta 2021. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años que cumplieron los criterios de Odaka et al. para EB. La información obtenida incluyó: edad, género, infección previa, escala de discapacidad de GB y niveles de proteinas en el LCR, entre otros. Se realizaron estudios de conducción nerviosa, estudios de neuroimagen (RM de encéfalo y 18F-FDG-PET-CT) y panel de anticuerpos antigangliósidos. Resultados: Cuatro pacientes (1.7%) cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Dos pacientes presentaron estupor y dos somnolencia a lo largo de la enfermedad. Tres pacientes requirieron ventilación mecánica. Ninguno de los estudios de conducción nerviosa cumplió los criterios para alguna variante electrofisiológica de GB. Un paciente tuvo anticuerpos anti GM2 IgM positivos. A un paciente se le realizó 18F-FDG-PET-CT, mostrando hipometabolismo cortical generalizado. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de EB en nuestra población es muy baja. El anticuerpo GM2 IgM es otro antigangliósido relacionado a EB. La resonancia magnética no presentó anormalidades y el 18F-FDG-PET-CT podría ser un estudio útil para describir un patrón de metabolismo que ayude en el diagnóstico de EB.

Abstract Background: To date, Mexico has more than 1,280,000 confirmed cases and more than 116,000 deaths due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Limited information is available regarding Latin American patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and SARS-CoV-2. Objective: The objective is to describe the presentation, diagnosis, and outcome of patients with GBS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We describe four cases of GBS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Mexico. Results: Neurological symptoms initiated 2-17 days after the respiratory symptoms. The age group in or patients ranged from 26 to 41 years. Two patients presented with progressive, acute, and symmetric weakness and two with bilateral facial palsy. Patients with GBS diagnosis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported to have a good outcome after IGIV or plasma exchange therapy. Conclusion: It is important to consider GBS as a potential manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and recall that the diagnosis is based mainly on clinical evaluation. Laboratory and CSF analysis, as well as neurophysiologic studies, should be considered as a complement for diagnosis.

Resumen Antecedentes: A la fecha, México tiene más de 1,280,000 casos confirmados y más de 116,000 muertes por infección por SARS-CoV-2. Se dispone de información limitada sobre los pacientes latinoamericanos con síndrome de Guillain-Barré (GBS) y SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo: El objetivo es describir la presentación, el diagnóstico y la evolución de los pacientes con síndrome de Guillain-Barré asociado a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Describimos cuatro casos de SGB asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en México. Resultados: Los síntomas neurológicos se iniciaron 2-17 días después de los síntomas respiratorios. El grupo de edad de los pacientes osciló entre 26 y 41 años. Dos pacientes presentaron debilidad progresiva, aguda y simétrica y dos con parálisis facial bilateral. Se ha reportado que los pacientes con diagnóstico de GBS asociado con la infección por SARS-CoV-2 tienen un buen resultado después de la terapia de recambio plasmático o IGIV. Conclusión: Es importante considerar el SGB como una posible manifestación de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y recordar que el diagnóstico se basa principalmente en la evaluación clínica. Los análisis de laboratorio y de LCR, así como los estudios neurofisiológicos, deben considerarse como un complemento del diagnóstico.

Abstract Background: In the Spanish language, there exists a considerable heterogeneity regarding the translation and use of the term “stroke,” which has multiple implications for epidemiology and science as well as the general population. Objective: The objective of the present study was to complete a Delphi exercise on the terminology for the Spanish equivalent for the term “stroke” in a group of Mexican experts in vascular neurology. Methods: A 3-phase consensus process was carried out using the Delphi method. The convened experts who agreed to participate completed an initial questionnaire. Subsequent questionnaires were designed based on the initial results. The final consensus was validated in a different group of researchers. Results: 69 stroke specialists participated in the first round, 78% also participated in the second round, and 72% in all three rounds. From an initial list of 33 terms derived from an initial search of the medical literature in Spanish, a consensus of more than 70% was obtained to designate stroke as: “Enfermedad Vascular Cerebral (EVC)” and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke as “infarto cerebral” and “hemorragia cerebral,” respectively. Likewise, the so-called “stroke units” were designated as “unidades neurovasculares”. Conclusions: This is the first work that seeks to solve, through a consensus methodology, the great diversity that exists in the Spanish language regarding the terminology of stroke.

Resumen Antecedentes: Existe gran heterogeneidad en cuanto a la traducción y el uso del término stroke en el idioma español, lo cual tiene múltiples implicaciones epidemiológicas, científicas y demográficas. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue llevar a cabo un ejercicio Delphi acerca de la nomenclatura para el término stroke en un grupo de expertos en neurología vascular en México. Métodos: Se realizó un proceso de consenso en tres fases mediante el método Delphi. Los expertos convocados completaron un cuestionario inicial; los cuestionarios subsecuentes se basaron en los resultados iniciales. El consenso final se validó en otro grupo de investigadores. Resultado: 69 especialistas participaron en la primera ronda y 72% en las tres rondas. De una lista inicial de 33 términos, se obtuvo el consenso de más de 70% para referirse a stroke como enfermedad vascular cerebral. Conclusiones: Este es el primer trabajo que busca resolver la diversidad existente en la terminología para denominar al trastorno que en inglés se conoce como stroke.

Baixo peso e desnutrição são muito documentadas na doença de Parkinson (DP), enquanto que o excesso de peso tem sido menos relatado. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 177 controles saudáveis e 177 pacientes com DP que frequentavam um centro terciário. O peso e a altura de todos os participantes foram arquivados. Uma diferença estatisticamente significativa no índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi encontrada entre controles e pacientes com DP (29,1±5,4 versus 27,2±4,7, p<0,001). No Grupo DP, dois pacientes estavam abaixo do peso, 32,7% estavam dentro do intervalo normal, 46,9% apresentavam sobrepeso e 19,2% eram obesos. Peso normal e excesso de peso foram mais prevalentes no Grupo DP (p=<0,01 e <0,001, respectivamente) em relação aos controles. Em conclusão, o sobrepeso/obesidade são comuns entre os pacientes com DP, enquanto baixo peso nessa população é quase insignificante.

Underweight and malnutrition are well documented in Parkinson's disease (PD), while overweight has been less reported. We carried out a cross-sectional study including 177 healthy controls and 177 PD patients attending a tertiary care center. We recorded weight and height for all participants. A statistically significant difference was found in body mass index (BMI) between controls and PD patients (29.1±5.4 versus 27.2±4.7, p<0.001). In the PD Group, two patients were underweight, 32.7% were within normal range, 46.9% had overweight, and 19.2% were obese. Overweight and normal weight were more prevalent in the PD Group (p=<0.01 and <0.001, respectively) when compared to controls. In conclusion, overweight/obesity are common among patients with PD, while underweight is almost negligible.