Brain atrophy and lesion load in a large population of patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To measure white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) atrophy and lesion load in a large population of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using a fully automated, operator-independent, multiparametric segmentation method. Methods: The study population consisted of 597 patients with MS and 104 control subjects. The MRI parameters were abnormal WM fraction (AWM-f), global WM-f (gWM-f), and GM fraction (GM-f). Results: Significant differences between patients with MS and control subjects included higher AWM-f and reduced gWM-f and GM-f. MRI data showed significant differences between patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive forms of MS. Significant correlations bet…

Thunderclap Headache and Reversible posterior Leukoencephalopathy: Case Report

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in su…

The relapse rate of multiple sclerosis changes during pregnancy: a cohort study

Objective – To evaluate the influence of pregnancy and puerperium on the relapse rate of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods – We determined retrospectively the yearly mean relapse rate (MRR) during pregnancies occurring in the course of relapsing–remitting MS. We compared the MRR of pregnancy-time with that of non-pregnancy time by paired t-test. Relative risk (RR) of relapses during the pregnancy-time was also compared with that of non-pregnancy time by χ2 analysis and 95% confidence intervals. Results – From a population of 351 women affected by clinically definite MS, only 70 reported pregnancies during their relapsing–remitting phase of MS for a total of 98 pregnancies. Both MRR (P = 0.00…