Autologus MSCs may have side effects and may be contraindicated in patients with a history of myelitis. Their utility in treating chronic traumatic SCI needs further study in pre-clinical models and in randomized controlled trials before they should be offered to patients.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected everyone around the world, not least through pressure on health care systems and delivery of care. The initial wave and consequent lockdowns led to the cancellation of routine investigations and elective interventions, and many health care providers had to move to alternative models of care delivery.First reported in China, COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a respiratory illness of varying severity, from asymptomatic to respiratory distress syndrome to multiorgan failure with a hypercoagulable and/or hyperinflammatory syndrome associated with high mortality. Tens of millions of cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally, with millions

Purpose Monitoring of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is required to prevent secondary optic nerve damage. Sonographic measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a noninvasive method to evaluate intracranial hypertension. Different ONSD cut-off values have been reported probably due to ethnic variations. Our aim was to determine optic nerve sonographic examination cut-off points to predict raised ICP in IIH patients. Methods This case-control study was conducted on 99 IIH post-pubertal female patients (both probable and definite) and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Sonographic ONSD and optic nerve diameter (OND) were obtained 3 mm behind the posterior edge of the globe in a horizontal plane via a 7-13 MHz linear probe. Lumbar puncture was then carried out on the patients. Results The opening cerebrospinal fluid pressure documented in the patient group was 279.64 ± 65.97 mm HO. A statistically significant difference was found between IIH patients and controls regarding ONSD. The best ONSD cut-off value indicating raised ICP was 6.05 mm with an area under the curve of 0.850 (95% confidence interval 0.805 to 0.894, 73.2% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity). Regarding OND/ONSD ratio, there was an insignificant difference between both groups. Conclusion Sonographic ONSD but not OND/ONSD ratio could offer a bedside adjunct or alternative indicator of elevated ICP in IIH patients. Ethnic differences, however, should be noted when using this parameter.

Reflected ICP changes on ONSD and papilla, measured by TOS, could be a valuable noninvasive additional tool to diagnose and monitor IIH patients. IIH insignificantly influences ophthalmic vessels hemodynamics. Abbreviation BMI: Body mass index. CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid. EDV: End diastolic velocity. ICP: Intracranial pressure. IH:intracranial hypertension. IIH: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension. LP: Lumbar puncture. MI: Mechanical index. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging. MRV: Magnetic resonance venography. OA: Ophthalmic artery OND: Optic nerve diameter. ONSD: Optic nerve sheath diameter. OV: Ophthalmic vein. PIs: Pulsatility indices. PSV: Peak systolic velocity. ROC: Receiver operator characteristic. TOS: Trans-orbital sonography.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous presentation and diverse disease course. Recent studies indicate a rising prevalence of MS in the Middle East.ObjectiveTo characterize the demographics and disease features of Egyptian patients attending four tertiary referral MS centers in Cairo.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective, observational study on 1,581 patients between 2001 and 2015. Medical records were reviewed and data were identified and extracted in a standardized electronic registry.ResultsThe mean age of disease onset was 26.6±7.8 years, with the majority being female (2.11:1). Relapsing–remitting MS was the most common type (75.1%). The main presenting symptom was motor weakness (43.9%), which was also the most frequent symptom during the disease course. Family history of MS was found in 2.28%. Higher initial Expanded Disability Status Scale score, black holes, and infratentorial lesions on initial magnetic resonance imaging were independent factors for disease progression by univariate analysis (OR 3.87 [95% CI 1.84–6.51], 4.14 [95% CI 3.08–5.58], 4.07 [95% CI 3.21–4.99], respectively); however, in multivariate analysis, only infratentorial lesions were an independent risk for disease progression (OR 6, 95% CI 2.99–12.02; P=0.0005).ConclusionThe results from this registry – the largest for MS in the Arab region to date – are comparable to other registries with slight differences.