No abstract

Myasthenia gravis refers to a group of diseases affecting the neuromuscular junction resulting in muscle weakness. The clinical hallmark of this condition is skeletal muscle weakness that worsens with sustained or repetitive muscle activation, caused via disruption of neuromuscular transmission by antibodies directed most commonly against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Transient neonatal myasthenia gravis is caused by the crossing of antibodies from a myasthenic mother to her developing child, while juvenile myasthenia gravis involves the production of antibodies by the child's own immune system against neuromuscular junction components. Ptosis and extraocular muscle weakness are common presenting symptoms of juvenile myasthenia gravis and may be accompanied by, or progress to, generalized weakness. Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis relies on careful neurological examination, supported by additional diagnostic modalities which may include the patient's response to short-acting cholinesterase inhibitors, serum testing for causative antibodies, or electromyography. Management options include cholinesterase inhibitors for symptomatic treatment, immunosuppression with corticosteroids or steroid-sparing immunosuppressants, and thymectomy when a thymoma is identified on imaging.

Venous sinus stenting (VSS) for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is emerging as a safe and effective alternative to shunting. However, stent navigation past the jugular bulb with commonly used carotid stenting systems via femoral access in cases with tortuous venous anatomy can present a challenge, leading to procedural failure. We present a technical refinement using a cervical access and peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform as an alternative to the traditional approach to simplify the procedure and overcome the technical difficulties in cases with tortuous venous anatomy. Our institutional database for patients who had IIH and undergone VSS using the peripheral vascular stent between 2013 and 2023 was retrospectively reviewed. Data on 36 patients (33 women, 3 men, mean age 32 years) was collected. VSS was technically successful in all patients (100%) without major complications or thrombosis. There was one case of minor neck cellulitis treated with oral antibiotics. Three patients underwent repeat stenting, and 2 patients had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after stenting due to persistent or recurrent symptoms. All patients (100%) had improvement or resolution of papilledema; however, six patients had evidence of optic atrophy and persistent vision loss. Headache was resolved or improved in 91% of patients. In the presence of tortuous venous anatomy, VSS using cervical access and a peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform can be considered as a safe and effective alternative approach with shorter procedure time. This approach is particularly advantageous in situations where the procedure is prolonged or high dose of contrast has been administered due to the technical challenges associated with the traditional use of carotid systems via femoral access for stent delivery.

Venous sinus stenting (VSS) for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is emerging as a safe and effective alternative to shunting. However, stent navigation past the jugular bulb with commonly used carotid stenting systems via femoral access in cases with tortuous venous anatomy can present a challenge, leading to procedural failure. We present a technical re nement using a cervical access and peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform as an alternative to the traditional approach to simplify the procedure and overcome the technical di culties in cases with tortuous venous anatomy. Our institutional database for patients who had IIH and undergone VSS using the peripheral vascular stent between 2013 and 2023 was retrospectively reviewed. Data on 36 patients (33 women, 3 men, mean age 32 years) was collected. VSS was technically successful in all patients (100%) without major complications or thrombosis. There was one case of minor neck cellulitis treated with oral antibiotics. Three patients underwent repeat stenting, and 2 patients had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after stenting due to persistent or recurrent symptoms. All patients (100%) had improvement or resolution of papilledema; however, six patients had evidence of optic atrophy and persistent vision loss. Headache was resolved or improved in 91% of patients. In the presence of tortuous venous anatomy, VSS using cervical access and a peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform can be considered as a safe and effective alternative approach with shorter procedure time. This approach is particularly advantageous in situations where the procedure is prolonged or high dose of contrast has been administered due to the technical challenges associated with the traditional use of carotid systems via femoral access for stent delivery.

TO THE EDITORS: The study by Sitko et al 1 improves our understanding of the use of the Titmus Stereotest in helping to confirm nonorganic visual loss. However, in cases with possible medicolegal consequences, we believe that testing should be performed with the 3 lines of animals rather than the circles because the asymmetric circles provide monocular clues that can allow subjects to make a selection indicating stereopsis without stereopsis actually present, confounding the test. 2 The 3 rows of animals cannot discriminate higher levels of stereopsis, but testing for profound feigned visual loss with them reduces the chance of finding "falsepositive" stereopsis, because they do not present any monocular clues.