Aside from brain injury and genetic causes, there is emerging information on brain infection and inflammation as a common cause of epilepsy. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide, is caused by brain cysts from the Taenia solium tapeworm. In this article, we provide a critical analysis of current and emerging information on the relationship between NCC infection and epilepsy occurrence. We searched PubMed and other databases for reports on the prevalence of NCC and incidence of epilepsy in certain regions worldwide. NCC is caused by brain cysts from the T. solium and related tapeworms. Many people with NCC infection may develop epilepsy but the rates are highly variable. MRI imaging shows many changes including localization of cysts as well as the host response to treatment. Epilepsy, in a subset of NCC patients, appears to be due to hippocampal sclerosis. Serologic and brain imaging profiles are likely diagnostic biomarkers of NCC infection and are also used to monitor the course of treatments. Limited access to these tools is a key limitation to identify and treat NCC-related epilepsy in places with high prevalence of this parasite infestation. Overall, NCC is a common infection in many patients with epilepsy worldwide. Additional clinical and animal studies could confirm common pathology of NCC as a postinfectious epilepsy that is curable.

Leprosy is caused by an infection with Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, slow-growing, obligate intracellular rod-shaped bacillus. Intrapartum leprosy most commonly occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. This is likely due to pregnancy decreasing cellular immunity, thus allowing the organism to proliferate unchecked. This case report reviews the current understanding of intrapartum leprosy and details the hospital course of a patient who presented with active intrapartum leprosy at 32 weeks gestation.

Purpose Over the past decade, a minimally invasive technique to address upper cervical spine pathology has been executed successfully within ENT and neurosurgical communities. One indication for this endoscopic transnasal surgery is to remove the odontoid process of C2. Methods We aim to provide a detailed description of the current state of endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy (ETO) techniques through a systematic literature review. We also report the clinical course of a patient who underwent an ETO with involvement of an orthopedic spinal surgeon. It is our hope that by highlighting the feasibility and positive outcomes of this approach, it may propagate more broadly through the spine community. Results A 61-year-old male presented to clinic with complaints of neck pain that radiated into the right arm. He had a remote history of closed head injury as a professional boxer, as well as previous ACDF from C4 to C7. On exam, the patient was myelopathic with diffuse 4/5 weakness in all extremities. Imaging revealed a Type-1 odontoid fracture non-union and significant stenosis at the C1 level, with only 7.7 mm available for the cord. After conferring with an interdisciplinary team, the patient was indicated for C1 laminectomy with posterior spinal fusion of C1-C2 and endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy. At 5-month follow-up, the patient has reported improved gait mechanics, absence of RUE paresthesias, and improved RUE strength. Conclusions ETO is a viable, safe alternative to previously used methods of odontoid resection. As familiarity with the procedure increases throughout the medical field, further research should determine the most effective methods of ameliorating known complications.

T-cell lymphomas comprise 10% to 15% of all lymphoid malignancies and affect precursor or mature T cells; the latter are referred to as peripheral T-cell lymphomas. We present a case of a subtype, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, in which a patient previously treated with chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant relapsed with B symptoms and large pericardial/pleural effusions. Recurrent lymphoma was confirmed on pericardial tissue biopsy. Treatment was trialed with lenalidomide and the effusions resolved. Five months later she died from septic shock and multiorgan failure. Our case highlights the need for rapid evaluation of B symptoms and/or new effusions in patients with a known history of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.