Brain manganese (Mn) accumulation is a key feature in patients with acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD). The role of trace elements other than Mn in AHD needs to be clarified. In this study, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we aimed to evaluate blood levels of trace elements in patients with AHD before and after liver transplantation (LT). Trace element levels in the AHD group were also compared with those of healthy controls (blood donors, n = 51). Fifty-one AHD patients were included in the study (mean age: 59.2 ± 10.6 years; men: 72.5%). AHD patients had higher levels of Mn, Li, B, Ni, As, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl and Pb and a higher Cu/Se ratio, and lower levels of Se and Rb. Six patients (two women; mean age 55 ± 8.7 years) underwent LT, and there was an improvement in neurological symptoms, a significant increase in the Zn, Se and Sr levels, and a decrease in the Cu/Zn and Cu/Se ratios. In summary, several trace element imbalances were identified in AHD patients. Liver transplantation resulted in the improvement of neurological manifestations and the oxidant/inflammatory status. It is possible that observed changes in trace element levels may play a role in the pathophysiology and symptomatology of AHD.

Usually occurring entirely intrasellarly or extending suprasellarly (intra-suprasellar), Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCCs) can present with an intrasphenoidal location. Extrasellar positions are rare. To date, only seven patients with intrasphenoidal RCC have been reported in the literature. Despite the rarity of the condition and the lack of pathognomonic radiological features, preoperative diagnosis remains challenging. A trans-sphenoidal approach can be adopted to treat this type of cyst, which has great clinical relevance. Awareness of this different presentation of RCC before respective management may be of value in its approach. Intrasphenoidal RCC should be diagnosed preoperatively and the surgical approach should be changed accordingly by aspiration and partial removal before the histological examination.

Background: Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a rare non-infectious inflammatory musculoskeletal disease where imaging plays a key diagnostic role. Vertebral and mandibular lesions are frequent manifestations, meaning their awareness is crucial for the neuroradiologist to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment. Objective: Characterize vertebral and mandibular CNO lesions on imaging to assist practicing neuroradiologists in better identifying this disease. Materials and methods: Retrospective review of all CNO patients of our pediatric center, including only patients with vertebral or mandibular lesions. All imaging exams were analyzed to record lesion characteristics. Results: We included 13 patients (six male). The mean age of onset was 12.3 years. Ten patients had only vertebral lesions, two had only mandibular lesions, and one had both. For patients with vertebral lesions, the median number of levels affected was three, 81.8% had multiple levels affected, 90.0% had dorsal spine lesions, 72.7% had platyspondyly, and 81.8% had inflammatory changes. All vertebral lesions had at least partial resolution of inflammatory findings, the mean time of lesion activity was 2.5 years, and recurrence occurred in 27.3%. Three patients had sacral lesions, all with sacroiliitis. In patients with mandibular lesions, all had unilateral lesions involving the mandibular ramus, all had hyperostosis, periosteal reaction, bone edema, and soft tissue inflammation, all had partial resolution on follow-up, and one had recurrence. Conclusion: CNO vertebral lesions are not rare, are often multiple, predominantly affect dorsal levels, and most result in vertebral height loss. Resolution of vertebral inflammatory lesions is frequent, but so is recurrence. Sacral lesions may be present and result in sacroiliitis. The mandible may be a site of unifocal disease, typically affecting the ramus, with prominent bony changes and soft tissue inflammation. Graphical

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A Look into Familial Hemiplegic Migraine