Neurologic Complications of Systemic Disease

October 3

rd

2012 Robert Altman MD FRCP(C)

Objectives

• • • Highlight “key points” in selected topics overlapping between neurology and internal medicine (Dx and Tx) – Neurologic complications of systemic diseases Appreciate “common presentations” of the diseases seen in Internal Medicine / Rheumatology clinics or in consultation – Emphasis on multi-media, neuroimaging and clinical reasoning through 12 clinical vignettes.

Will not touch upon the “approach to” medicine-

Nonetheless important and should

–

“Neurological Borderlands”

• Studying the impact of systemic diseases on the nervous system allows for – Consolidating knowledge of neuroanatomy, medicine, immunology and clinical examination skills. Lateral thinking. – Forming cognitive cross-links and appreciating the complexities in the diagnosis and management of the medically “sick” patient. – Having an organized ‘approach to’ very challenging cases facilitates the diagnostic process – Having a broader appreciation of neuropharmacology and systemic

interactions

– Understand the lack of evidence based therapies or guidelines in overlap cases because (a) rare entities (b) different specialists often involved in complex patient care; each have different approaches or association guidelines (c) No-one “takes ownership” of these cases – Educating or facilitating transfer of knowledge to colleagues in medicine, psychiatry and neurology

References

• • • • • • Bradley Continuum x 2 Royal College notes Up to Date NEJM (Images in Clinical Medicine – videos) February 2011 February 2008 Selected review papers: see last slide

Pre-Test

• • • • • • • Neurologic manifestations of celiac disease is primarily related to specific vitamin deficiency state(s) T/F The CNS is the second most common system involved in sarcoid (outside of pulmonary) T/F Most sensitive biomarker for neurosarcoid is CSF ACE level T/F Phenytoin is contraindicated in a liver failure patient T/F Name a purported biomarker that indicates active

neuropsychiatric SLE.

SS is one of the classic syndromes associated with sensory neuronopathy T/F It is safe to use Remicade for RA in a patient with concomitant RRMS T/F

Outline

1. Neurologic Complications of Hepatic Failure – Hepatic encephalopathy, cirhosis and ALF 2. Alcohol and the nervous system 3. Neurogastroenterology – Mini-review of a few ultra-precise topics 4. Neurologic Complications of Renal Failure 5. Systemic Inflammatory Diseases –

Sarcoid

–

Sjögren’s Syndrome

–

RA

–

SLE

CASE 1

Clinical Scenario 1

• Which of the following is more common in patients with hepatic encephalopathy in the setting of ALF than in patients with HE from cirrhosis?

1. Asterixis 2. Bradykinesia 3. Dysarthria 4. Seizures 5. Somnolence

CASE 1

Clinical Scenario 1

• Which of the following is more common in patients with hepatic encephalopathy in the setting of ALF than in patients with HE from cirrhosis?

1. Asterixis 2. Bradykinesia 3. Dysarthria 4. Seizures 5. Somnolence

Neurologic Manifestations of Hepatic Failure / ALF

Clinical Clues

• Background knowledge of stigmata of chronic liver disease may help when diagnosis is ambiguous

Hepatic Failure

•

Encephalopathy

–

Unique

• Rigidity *, tremor and hypokinesia (even if asymptomatic in initial stages) • Asterixis in UE’s or LE’s http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm0911157

•

Altered LOC in Liver Patient

“Don’t do something, just stand there......”

Ddx – Hypoglycemia – Sodium disturbance – Epileptic – Cerebral edema – Hypoxia (unwitnessed cardiac or pulmonary arrest) • Intoxication or OD – Wernike – ICH (coagulopathic)

Pallidal hyperintensities on T1 Reflects a significant porto systemic shunt, NOT hepatic encephalopathy Mn deposition (reduced excretion in bile) 90% of patients

Hypoglycemic Coma MR

DWI is key sequence

NB. Study excluded cardiac / respiratory arrest AJNR Am J Neuroradiology May 2012

CPM:

note DWI + and location

Pathophysiology

• • Porto-systemic shunt with toxins normally filtered by liver gaining direct access to circulation / CNS Main players –

Ammonia

• • Astrocyte swelling (osmotic mechanisms) Increased ROS – As no urea synthesis in CNS; glutamine synthesis occurs • Astrocytic swelling • • Dysfunction of astrocytic and neuronal function (neurotransmission) Increased expression of benzodiazepine receptors, augmenting GABAa receptors

Hepatic Failure / Disease

Grade II

• Asterixis • Brady • Rigidity • Tremor • Cerebellar dysarthria • Ataxia

II

Ammonia

• • • • Elevated levels point to “potential hepatic in origin” to change in brain function Serum levels corroborate broadly with stages of encephalopathy – Substantial overlap exists (stages) Normal ammonia does NOT rule out HE – So check it. – And trend it.

Include it in a full metabolic panel when investigating any “encephalopathy”

Practical Point

Principals of Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy (acute and chronic)

1. Look for source (occult bleed) 2. Low protein in diet 3. Lactulose PO or enema; titrate to 3+ soft BM per day 4. Antiobiotics – Target urea producing bacteria in gut (Neomycin) 5. Avoid benzodiazepines (heightened sensitivity); if necessary try Oxazepam. – May need Flumazenil.

6. ICP management. Propofol, hypertonics.

7. Consider porto-systemic shunting procedure (TIPPS) 8. Liver transplant (committee)

CASE 1.5

36 F overdose on acetaminophen

Describe the pertinent findings.

Acute Liver Failure (ALF)

• • • Encephalopathy (irritability, insomnia, concentration deficits, disorientation) + – Cerebral edema –

Seizures

• Generally grades III and IV • • ICP monitoring with subdural transducers can be used Tend to occur with NH4 > 124 µ mol/L ICP management – HV, osmotics (watch-out for RF), propofol, targeted natremia (145 155mmol/L) Seizure control – Controlled trial with prophylactic phenytoin (no survival advantage, but does decrease subclinical seizures and edema) – Appropriate sedation; barbituates, propofol careful use of benzos (midazolam)

• • •

Practical Point

“Idopathic Recurrent Stupor” (endozepine-4)

Sine qua non is presence of elevated serum (and CSF) endozepine – – Physiologically regulated by neurons Function; Modulate GABA-mediated neurotransmission Interictally, the patients have normal EEG findings. During the attacks there is diffuse, low-amplitude, unreactive beta rhythm (13–16 Hz). Administration of intravenous flumazenil, 0.5 to 2 mg or more, reverses the abnormal EEG pattern to normal, reactive alpha rhythm, and correlates with clinical improvement Ref: Metabolic Encephalopathies – Clinics 2011

Brain (1998), 121, 127 –133

CASE 2

Quickie – A Neurological Classic

• • • • • 33M Anorexia Nervosa Otherwise no other PmHx Admitted to psychiatry with severe hypokalemia and bradycardia Neuro consult; – – “please assess” “r/o organic brain”

CASE 2

Accompanying MR Brain

Practical Point

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

• W-A-C-O – Wernike • Ataxia • • Confusion / confabulation Ophthalmoplgia •

Clinical Pearls

– Appreciate that it occurs outside of ETOH abuse and represents a manifestation of malnourished state – – – Also that all features need not be present simultaneously Vitamin deficiency* Which? Know the treatment for it

Practical Point

• • •

Wernike’s in Pregnancy

Generally from hyperemesis graviderum Note Ddx Molar pregnancy HyperT4 Hepatitis 6-16 weeks Tx with thiamine IV until able to handle PO (UTD.com) – 500mg IV TID x 2, then 500mg daily IV/IM QD x 5 • Daily oral administration of 100 mg of thiamine should be continued after the completion of parenteral treatment and after discharge from the hospital until patients are no longer considered at risk. • Magnesium and other vitamins are replaced as well, along with other nutritional deficits if present

Neurologic Manifestations of GI Disease

CASE 3 35F, appendicular ataxia on exam. Gets bloated and has diarrhea when eating rye or wheat. Also noted distal stocking glove

•

polyneuropathy on exam.

Sent to see you from GI for opinion Normal comparison

Gluten Enteropathy (Celiac)

• • • – Chronic immune-mediated systemic disease with diverse manifestations including; GI, dermatopathy, neurologic dysfunction Diagnosis (in predisposed pt’s) – Serum markers + – IgA tTG serology or Anti-Endomysium Ab (IgA EMA) [Anti-gliadin IgG, igA [markers for spectrum of dz] ] – Small intestine bx Earliest markers are TTG (IgA), anti-gliadin which can be present even before gut involved – It is said tTG implies gut (specific)

Can get neurologic involvement without gut

Gluten Enteropathy (celiac)

• • • Neurologic effects not vitamin deficiency states, rather immune mediated.

– IgA + TTG deposits in vessels in brainstem, cerebellum, small bowel mucosa, peripheral nerves, muscles – Cross reactivity with Purkinje cells with atrophy and gliosis Effects entire neuraxis – Central (brain, cerebellum (gluten ataxia), cord) – Peripheral (‘gluten’ neuropathy, ‘inflammatory’ myopathy) Treatment – – Eliminate gluten (B-R O -W) completely ? immunosuppression if despite strict adherence to diet and dropping Ab levels neurologic dysfunction continues to progress •

CONTROVERSIAL

Perivascular inflammatroy infiltrate Serum from patients with gluten ataxia reacts with Purkinje cell epitopes Perivascular Tg Purkinje loss

Practical Point Name 5 auto-immune or immune mediated diseases (systemic or nervous system)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

MG MS / ADEM GBS Dermatomyositis / polymyositis Devic’s disease (neuromyelitis optica) Neuropsychiatric lupus Rhumatoid arthritis Sleroderma 9.

Sjogren 10. Paraneoplastic syndromes +++ (NMDA-R encephalitis, SPS) 11. Thyroid eye disease (Graves) or Hashimotos’ (SREAT) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Vitiligo DM1 Psoriasis Celiac disease (ataxia, neuropathy) IBD

CASE 4 Mr. F, 63M stumbles into JGH ER. “confused and ataxic” according to ED. Automatic neuro consult

.

• • CT brain; NIL ACUTE.

ETOH level 120mmol/L, i.e, drunk • • 23:30; Unfortunately code white called on bed 12 red A – Psych pt escaped and stabbed the security guard – Mr F has an unwitnessed ‘hallway’ MI out of fear and dies.

Brain autopsy results shown

Describe the most pertinent findings...

Neurologic Manifestations of ETOH Toxicity

ETOH and the nervous system

Practical Point

Every Level of the Neuraxis

• • • • • • • Acute intox (i.e, drunk) Alcoholic Dementia Cerebellar degeneration – “Vermian man” Wernike-Korsakoff Polyneuropathy (toxic and malnutrition) Myopathy Epileptic (withdrawal or DT’s) • • Alcohol – Tobacco Amblyopia Marchiafava Bignami or CPM (Na shifts)

You may very well see all in the same patient...

Because you asked...

• • Antigliadin antibodies (AGA) – Helpful in assessing compliance to low gluten diet (antibody to breakdown-product of gluten: gliadin) , but very poor sensitivity and specificity • • IgA AGA a sensitivity of 75–95% and a specificity of 80–90% IgG AGA a sensitivity of 17–100% (wide variation between studies) and a specificity of 70–80%.

IgA EMA and IgA tTG are based on the target antigen tTG – IgA EMA had a sensitivity of 90–97% and specificity close to 100%; – IgA tTG a sensitivity of 90–98% and specificity between 95–99%;

Neurologic Manifestations of Renal Disease

5-16% incidence of ARF in hospitalized patients Mortality 20-51%

CASE 5

Clinical Example

• • • • 52M HTN, DB2, CKD (CRF) Progressive lethargy, confusion, and tremors Minimal PO intake x 2-3 days Found down by wife, with urinary incontinence and rhythmic jerking movements of the extremities

CASE 5

• On exam – 176/100 mm Hg – Bibasilar crackles on lung examination and 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities – EO briefly to a loud voice but unable to follow complex commands. • Able to state name, and speech dysarthric. • • Unable to correctly state the year or the month.

Not at his baseline according to family.

– Myoclonus in arms / legs – – Bilateral asterixis 

Normal

neuroimaging (not shown) Labs: Creat 864 umol/L, K 5.1, Hb 82

What is the next most important test in this patient’s management?

Important to differentiate NCS from Uremic Encephalopathy; very different treatments...

Neurologic Complications

1. Manifestations of uremic state • • 2. Consequence of renal replacement therapy (dialysis) Combination of the above CNS, PNS or both • Most complications fail to resolve fully with dialysis or transplantation (and may develop or worsen)

Disease Related

• • • • • • • • Encephalopathy Cognitive impairment and Dementia Cerebrovascular Movement Disorders Focal mononeuropathies Polyneuropathies Uremic Myopathy Nephrogenic Systemic Sclerosis

•

Disease Related

Encephalopathy

– ARF or CRF – Fluctuating LOC, disorientation, attention, concentration, sleep, h/a, asterixis, myoclonus, sz, UMN signs • Uremic; neurotoxins • E+ derangement; hyperCa, Mg; hypoPO4, Na •

Metabolic acidosis

•

Wernike’s

• Hypertensive; PRES • • Vascular event; SDH or SAH

Rx [low threshold to image]

? Disease Related

•

Ddx Encephalopathy in renal patient (cont)

• Rx • e.g., metoclopramide, phenothiazines, AEDs including gabapentin, and opioids 

meperidine

•

Bottom Line

• Before concluding encephalopathy to be a clinical feature of advanced uremia requiring renal replacement therapy, a careful search for other causes should be initiated

Correction of the underlying metabolic abnormality typically leads to resolution of symptoms

Disease Related

•

Cognitive impairment +/- Dementia

– 80% in those with CRF – Memory and executive dysfunction – Multifactorial • Subclinical vascular cognitive impairment (same RF’s) • Inflammatory mediators • Anemia and relative hypoxia-emia • EPO • Hyperparathyroidism (HyperCa)

Cognition may improve after transplant; memory, concentration, psychomotor function, EEG/EP latencies

Disease Related

•

Cerebrovascular

– Ischemic and hemorrhagic • 4-10X risk compared to N controls – Ischemia • ASO, CRF share common RFs – DB, HTN, DLPD, smoking, ↑homocysteine – Anemia (independent RF for CVA) – Hemorrhage – – Plt dysfunction (poor aggregability) HTN – – PCKD (10X risk for aneurysms and dolichoectasia) Antithrombotic agents used in HD to prevent fistula thrombosis (heparin)

Disease Related

•

Movement Disorders

– Action myoclonus – Stimulus-sensitive myoclonus – “twitch convulsive syndrome”  intense asterixis and myoclonus accompanied by fasciculations, muscle twitching and seizures – RLS 15-20% • Secondary to the renal disease, anemia +/- peripheral neuropathy

All improve once metabolic disturbance under control or post transplant

• • •

Disease Related

Focal mononeuropathies

– Susceptible to compression and ischemia in renal patients • Median, ulnar (UNE, UNW-from calcinosis), femoral – Vascular “steal” phenomenon after fistula insertion

Polyneuropathies

– – – – “Uremic neurotoxins” 60% pt’s Large and small fiber (including autonomic), cranial May stabilize, even improve in dialysis (esp paresthesiae)

Uremic Myopathy

– – 50% of pt’s on dialysis “uremic toxins, vitamin D metabolism dysfunction, insulin resistence, carnitine deficieny, malnutrition” all contribute] – – Bx is normal or type II atrophy

Some improvement post-transplant

Neuromuscular Complications Proportionate to GFR

GFR

<25ml/min (myopathy)

Features

Uremic myopathy possible Parallels decline in renal function

Clinical

“myopathic” weakness; with wasting, poor endurance, and rapid fatiguing Normal EMG / Bx (type II) <12ml/min (polyneuropathy) <6ml/min (polyneuropathy) NCS abnormalities Clinical symptoms being P&N, heat, autonmoic failure, sensory loss, areflexia Pruritus

Nephrogenic Systemic Sclerosis

• • • ARF or CRF Within 2 months of exposure to G+

Gadolinium-based contrast

and swelling.

– Ultimately, joint contractures and limited mobility

Treatment Related

• • • • • Dialysis dysequilibrium syndrome Dialysis dementia EPO-related Rejection encephalopathy Anti-rejection Rx related PRES

Treatment Related

• “Dialysis dysequilibrium syndrome” – – Rapid clearance of BUN / other osmotically active solutes

Now considered a “non-issue,” as

• Nausea, vomiting, restlessness, cramps, confusion Easily avoided slowing rates of dialysis, using • sessions

should be cognizant of it.

“Dialysis dementia” – Aluminum accumulation of GM • Dysarthria, language disturbance, apraxia, personality, psychosis, myoclonus, seizures and dementia.

• • •

Treatment Related

EPO-related (for CKD)

– 1/3 pt’s get HTN and can manifest with PRES – Careful monitoring of BP when initiating therapy and slow uptitration of dose

Anti-rejection Rx related

– PRES and HTN // multifactorial BBB disruption, demyelination and endothelial damage • Cyclosporine, tacrolimus

Rejection encephalopathy

– – Within 3 months (up to 2 yrs) of transplantation Cytokine induced (hypothesis) – Complete recovery after Tx rejection

Dialysis patient who became acutely hypertensive post dialysis

Describe the findings

A note about EPO

• Side effects as listed on product monograph: o >10% = HTN, headache, fever o 1-10% = DVT, edema, thrombosis o o Cardiovascular: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events, thromboembolic events, stroke, and mortality when administered to target Hgb levels >11 g/dL (and provide no additional benefit); a rapid rise in Hgb (>1 g/dL over 2 weeks) may also contribute to these risks .

o CKD concerns; use the lowest dose sufficient to reduce the need for RBC transfusions o HTN / Cardiovascular concerns; decrease the epoetin dose if the hemoglobin increase

exceeds 1 g/dL in any 2-week period.

Seizure concerns; increased risk in CKD, thus monitor upon initiation

Practical Point

Summary Renal Neurology

Practical Point

Name 2 potential etiologies for myelopathy in CRF patient?

1. Zinc

(PO or IV) given thus causing a Cu deficient state 2. Acquisition of

HTLV1

during HD via blood transfusions 3. Epidural hematoma (coagulopathic) 4. SC infarct (vascular RF)

Practical Point

Clinical Exam Pearl

• Asterixis and myoclonus may be elicited with the hands outstretched, but may be more sensitively assessed by looking at the protruded tongue or the index finger raised

with the palm placed on a firm surface

CASE 6

32F “African American”. Febrile illness culminating in seizure. R frontal lesion identified and biopsied. Dx?

•

Non-necrotizing granuloma

•

Giant cells

•

-ve stains for fungus or TB

Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Inflammatory Disease(s)

Fundamentals of Sarcoid

• • • Dx of exclusion – Must r/o tuberculous, fungal, carcinomatous seeding Defined by histologic terms, thus mandates tissue Bx – Bx shows 3 cardinal features 1.

2.

3.

Macrophage reaction with epitheloid histiocytic differentiaion of macs, without necrosis  “non-caseating” Multinucleated giant cells Lymphcytic of monocytic infiltration Must go the ‘whole 9 yards’, as sarcoidosis is treatable; potentially reversible

TNF α Produced by

WBC

and

endothelia

in response to inflammation Proinflammatory response Produced by

macrophages

as well and

auto-amplifies

cascade

What % of Sarcoid Patients Develop Nervous System Involvement?

• • Only 5% of sarcoid patients have neurologic involvement • Up to 35% of patients with NS can present with only nervous system manifestations Isolated CNS sarcoid is exceedingly rare.

“Lofgren’s syndrome”

• “Acute” systemic phenotype (9 - 34% of patients) – Arthritis – E. nodosum – Bilateral hilar adenopathy

“Heerfordt’s Syndrome”

Uveoparotid syndrome • • • • Parotid gland enlargement/Swelling Uveitis Facial neuropathy (CN VII) Fever

Practical Point

HIGHLY SUGGESTIVE OF SARCOID!

Clinical Presentation; “protean”

• • • • • • • • • Constitutional ++ Pulmonary; fibrosis, dysnpea Ophthalmologic; uveitis, vitritis, retinal vasculitis Dermatologic; e nodosum CNS; see next slide Cardiac; arrythmias Hepatic; infiltration with variable impairment LFT MSK; neuropathy, myopathy Metabolic; hypercalcemia, calciuria Reactions in cosmetic tattoos relating to sarcoidosis have been reported as early as 1952. The cause of sarcoidal reactions in tattoos remains unknown. This finding may be a specific cutaneous manifestation of sarcoidosis in which the pigment in tattoos acts as a nidus for granuloma formation; such reactions may be the only manifestation of cutaneous sarcoidosis

Practical Point

Neurosarcoid

Mayo Clinic Series [84 pt’s]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • Cranial nerve 65% Myelopathy 18% Cauda / Conus syndrome 3.5% Polyradiculopathy 2.3% Cerebellar 4.7% Hemiparesis 2.3% Myopathy 6% H/A 25% Encephalopathy 12% HC 8.3% Sz 8.3% Hypothalamic / pituitary 17% Chronic meningitis (h/a, encephalopathy, HC, sz or CN palsy with CSF pleocytosis; no parenchymal pathology) 77%

Neurosarcoid

Mayo Clinic Series [84 pt’s]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • Cranial nerve 65% Myelopathy 18% Cauda / Conus syndrome 3.5% Polyradiculopathy 2.3% Cerebellar 4.7% Hemiparesis 2.3% Myopathy 6% H/A 25% Encephalopathy 12% HC 8.3% Sz 8.3% Hypothalamic / pituitary 17% Chronic pachymeningitis (h/a, encephalopathy, HC, sz or CN palsy with CSF pleocytosis; no parenchymal pathology) 77%

Summary: Neurosarcoid

• • • • • Chronic pachymeningitis (h/a, encephalopathy, HC, sz or CN palsy with CSF pleocytosis; no parenchymal pathology) 77% Cranial nerve 65% –

VII, VIII, II

H/A 25% Myelopathy 18% Hypothalamic / pituitary 17%

Practical Point

Neurosarcoid; Investigation

• • • • • • • • • Routine; Peripheral blood counts, Serum chemistries, including creatinine and liver enzymes ECG Postero-anterior chest radiograph or CT chest PFTs, including spirometry and DLCO Tuberculin skin test, and negative stains on Bx – Non-caseating granulomas on tissue bx ACE level (84% PPV, 74% NPV) Urine calcium / serum calcium BAL (CD4:CD8) – reduced number of CD8 cells, an elevated CD4 to CD8 ratio, and an increased amount of activated T cells, CD4 cells, immunoglobulins, and IgG-secreting

cells

Routine ophthalmologic examination

CSF in Neurosarcoid

• • • • Most sensitive biomarker is elevated CSF protein – I.e, normal protein argues strongly against the dx – Not specific Low glucose (variable); 15% Pleocytosis common; 72% – 0-455cells (mainly lymphs) OCB; 18%

ACE; setting the record straight

• • • May be helpful with routine chemistries – Secreted by sarcoidal granulomas • Approximately 60% elevated in systemic disease – Lacks sensitivity and specificity Not useful in CSF (sensitivity 24%) – False positive also very alarming (fungal meningitis, carcinomatous) So, do not hang your hopes of the ACE level

MR features of neurosarcoidosis

• • • • • CNS intraparenchymal lesions of high T2 signal and G+ enhancement Pituitary / sella, leptomeningeal and nerve root (including cranial) with G+ enhancement Dural enhancement Optic nerves Basal meningitis +/- communicating hydrocephalus

• •

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Manifestations

2 nd most common system involved (next to pulmonary) Most frequently, the anterior segment is involved. • Chronic granulomatous uveitis, • conjunctival granulomas, scleritis, episcleritis, and interstitial keratitis. •

Posterior segment

• Vitritis and periphlebitis • it is sometimes the sole manifestation of ocular sarcoidosis but usually accompanies abnormalities in the anterior segment. • Severe vasculitis associated with exudates gives the appearance of candle-wax drippings.

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Manifestations

• With chronic inflammation in the lacrimal system, the patient may develop keratoconjunctivitis sicca (secondary granulomas) • Ophthalmopathy; Exactly mimics thyroid eye disease – Spares the tendon

C=anterior uveitis and synechiae Enlarged nodular lacrimal gland candle-wax drippings White, mutton-fat, granulomatous keratic precipitates

Practical Point

Blind Bx of What Can be used to confirm non-caseating granulomas for CNS sarcoid?

• • • • • • Lip/minor salivary gland Rectum Abdominal fat pad Duodenum Meninges Conjunctiva

Practical Point

Blind Bx of What Can be used to confirm non-caseating granulomas for CNS sarcoid?

• • • • • • Lip/minor salivary gland Rectum Abdominal fat pad Duodenum Meninges Conjunctiva

Deciding on Therapy

• • Tissue Dx 1 st and foremost Decide on biomarker that will be followed to tailor therapy – CSF pleocytosis – MR enhancing lesions* • May take months for G+ enhancement to disappear despite clinical response – Neurologic clinical deficits

Therapy

• • Cornerstone is corticosteroids – 3 induction options 1. 1g IVMP qd x 5d, then oral pred 60 mg / day 2. Pred 60mg/day or 1mg/kg 3. Pred 60mg po qOD from onset – Steroid sparing agents (many options) No RTC evidence • • Neurosurgery Cranial irradiation

Plan for a minimum of 6 months of therapy Relapse rate 10-30% in successfully treated patients

Cornerstone of therapy

Treatment Options

• • • • • • • • •

Immunomodulators

Corticosteroids Azathioprine Methotrexate Chlorambucil Cyclophosphamide Cyclosporine Hydroxychloroquine* Mycophenolate mofetil Tacrolimus • • • •

TNF α blockers

Thalidomide Pentoxyfylline Infliximab* Etanercept DO NOT FORGET • DEXA, calcium, Vit D, bisphosphanate • Septra 3X/wk • PPI or H2 blocker • BP and CBGM checks in collaboration with GP / Internist

CASE 9

Name this test and most likely Dx

34F, 6 month Hx of patchy sensory phenomena over thighs, calves, forearms and nose.

Systems review reveals only complaints of dry mouth and eye (sicca); no other autonomic complaints

Xeropthalmia, xerostomia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Sjögren Syndrome

• • • • • Primary (50%) SS • More severe sicca complex Secondary (50%) SS • RA, SLE, dermatomyositis, MCTD • Milder, slower progression Clinically; Sicca complex Pathologically; lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands Neurological manifestation(s) can sometimes be the first manifestation of the systemic disorder [1/3 present with ‘extraglandular’ manifestations] • Manifestations?

Diagnostic criteria exist

• • Beyond scope of this talk Objective clinical findings with subjective sicca complaints and histopathology – Serology; anti SSA (Ro) and anti SSB (La) [60%] – Schirmer’s Test – Rose Bengal for corneal abraisons – Parotid gland salivary production (nuclear med) – Minor salivary gland (lip) biopsy Important

exclusions

: RTX, anti-chol Rx, HCV, AIDS, preexisting lymphoma, sarcoid, GVHD

PNS

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Primarily PNS CNS (poorly characterized) CN V MS mimic; clinical and paraclinical

The optimal management of peripheral nervous system complications of SS is unclear (usual players involved IVMP, IVIG) Spontaneous improvement does occur

Practical Point

Clinical Neurology

• Classic case: – severe loss of vibration and proprioception sensation, – pseudoathetosis in her fingers, – – areflexia, sensory ataxic gait – Romberg sign – Pupillary abnormalities (see below) – Autonomic neuropathy • Adie’s tonic pupils

(ciliary ganglionitis)

Sensory Wandering = Pseudoathetosis http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm0907786

For your interest only

Neuro-Sjogren’s

• • • Sensory ataxic neuronopathy with autonomic involvement is highly suggestive of SS. Peripheral nervous system disease often precedes the clinical diagnosis of SS. – Distal paresthesias, which may gradually spread more proximally, and loss of JPS The MRI in patients with a sensory ataxia may show T2 hyperintensity in the cervical spinal cord. – Ganglioneuritis may be the cause of the sensory ataxic form of neuropathy seen in SS

Ddx dorsal column hyperintensities

• • • • • • B12 deficiency DRG-opathy Freidrich’s Ataxia Cu Deficiency Dorsalis Tabes HIV vacuolar myelopathy T2 hyperintensities in the dorsal columns is the neuroradiological correlate of degeneration of large myelinated sensory fibres due to damage to the dorsal root ganglion cells (as has been confirmed in pathological studies) T2 hyperintensities therefore possibly reflects

gliosis.

• • •

Clinical Clues to Ganglionopathy

Can occur to small and large fibers It may be difficult to distinguish numbness of small fiber sensory peripheral neuropathy from that of sensory ganglionopathy based just on clinical grounds. Aside from lower and upper extremity sensory impairment, the face may be affected (nose) EDX: reduced or absent SNAPs and normal (or near normal) CMAPs – – Normal f-waves Abnormal H-Reflexes

Note Association b/w SS and NMO

• • Neuromyelitis optica can occur in association with SS – Anti-SSA (Ro) frequently found in NMO patients

(with or without SS)

– NMO-IgG prevalence same in SS pt’s without NMO If diseases co-exist, treat NMO-spectrum disorder as if no SS – Generally involve

IVMP, PLEX, azathioprine

Practical Point

Can you name a brief differential for selective sensory neuronopathy? (4)

Ddx primarily sensory, patchy, non length dependent neuropathy

1. Toxic neuronopathy (chemo = cisplatin, pyridoxine > 250 500mg /d) 2. Paraneoplastic sensory neuronopathy • SCLC; Anti-Hu Ab 3. Acute sensory neuronopathy syndrome • Post anti-biotic use [Flagyl] 4. Chronic idiopathic ataxic neuronopathy • ?unknown toxic exposure 5. Neuronopathy associated with SS 6. Primary biliary cirhhosis related ganglionopathy / neuropathy • Immune mediated 7. Sarcoidosis 8. Gluten Enteropathy

CASE 10

48F with hands (shown) presents with a non-compressive foot drop.

•

What’s the most likely Dx and pathophysiology?

CASE 11

32F with JRA presenting with acute tetraparesis after a fall, requiring ventilatory support

.

•

What’s the most likely underlying pathophysiology?

Rhumatoid Arthritis (RA)

1. Systemic inflammatory disease characterized primarily by a polyarthritis due to chronic synovial tissue inflammation

– Can progress to cartilage damage and bone erosion – Spares the spine (C-spine exception)

2. Nervous system complications related to disease process itself or the therapies

4/7 necessary

Not DIP (OA)

2/3; not sensitive or specific

Practical Point

Neuro-RA

• CNS – Atlanto-axial instability; high cervical myelopathy with quadriparesis and respiratory failure •

Asymptomatic, neck pain and paresthesias,

occipital headaches from C2 – Myelopathy may also result from compression by extradural rheumatoid nodules or by epidural lipomatosis (chronic steroid use) – VBI from damage to vertebral a.’s – Rhumatoid meningitis (pachy or lepto) and Rhuamtoid vasculitis (rare), Sz, dementia, hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsy, blindness, hemispheric dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, or dysphasia, “NPH”

The joints between C1 (the atlas) and C2 (the axis)—particularly the space between the transverse atlantal ligament and the odontoid process, and the joint between the anterior atlas arch and the odontoid—are the most common sites of cervical involvement in RA

Destruction of articular facets of C2,resulting in descent of the skull and upward migration of the odontoid

Gross destruction of the dens axis Extensive pannus formation

Stepladder phenomenon

Surgical Indications

• • Strong indications for surgery to reduce the subluxation and stabilize the spine include myelopathy (or brainstem compression from basilar invagination) and intractable pain or severe stenosis in conjunction with spinal instability (Kim and Hilibrand, 2005).

Note: – Caution with intubations – Office maneuvers (such as Dix Hallpike)

•

Neuro-RA

PNS Median, post tib, une, enw, PIN (supinator and hypertrophied synovial tissue) – Entrapment neuropathies – rheumatoid tenosynovitis, nodules or joint deformities – Vasculitic Necrotizing Neuropathy (noncompressive) – Neuropathy (axonal); DSPN (sensory) – Mononeuritis multiplex Medium-sized epineurial blood vessel with fibrinoid necrosis of its wall and perivascular and transmural mononuclear cell infiltration

Practical Point

(?irreversible) •Methotrexate is now one of the most commonly used DMARD in RA •Anti-malarials •Newer biologics

Practical Point

Methotrexate Toxicity; know it.

• • Rare AE with oral, low-dose conventional Tx Can get severe leukoencphalopathy with higher dose IV or IT; especially if concomitant RTX – Malignancy treatment (i.e, ALL; Dana Farber Protocol) • Don’t forget myelopathy

Methotrexate Leukoencephalopathy

Newer Biologics

• • DMARD therapy failure

TNF-α inhibitors

– – – Etanercept (Enbrel)

PAST HX of MS or other CNS

– – increased risk for systemic infection, lymphoma reactivation of TB CNS demyelination (R, H) Bilateral anterior toxic optic neuropathy (R) CIDP-like neuropathy (E) MMNCB (R)

Almost done...

56M fever and left pronator drift.

Swollen L ankle.

ESR 274, CRP 300

Practical Point

Name this important

funduscopic finding.

What

immediate test(s)

should you order next?

Potential Future Topics

• • • • • • •

Neuro-Lupus Electrolytes Disturbances in Neurology

Vascular complications of systemic diseases – i.e, IE, SBE, cancer, hemoglobinopathies, APLAS and CAPS

Neuro-Hematology

– B12, TTP-HUS, ITP, homocysteine metabolism

Neurooncology

• “Myelopathies in cancer patients” or “stroke in cancer patients” • CNS/PNS complications of cancer • Complications of – Rx, RTX, Surgery

The paraneoplastic wonderland Neurologic complications of pregnancy and delivery

Practical Point(s)

Advice to R5’s; Writing The Quiz

• • • • • • Keep your cool when under fire ABC’s Dissect the case slowly, an ‘aha’ moment will hopefully occur CNS/PNS involvement if common pathologies, or the most talked about presentations – No zebras on RCE (for the most part) Know your approach to hyponatremia and thrombocytopenia Do not be afraid to consult; know your limits

Post-Test

• • • • • • • Neurologic manifestations of celiac disease is primarily related to specific vitamin deficiency state(s)

T/ F

The CNS is the second most common system involved in sarcoid (outside of pulmonary)

T/ F

Most sensitive biomarker for neurosarcoid is CSF ACE level

T/ F

Phenytoin is contraindicated in a liver failure patient

T/ F

Name a purported biomarker that indicates active neuropsychiatric

SLE.

Anti-Ribosomal P (stay tuned for next talk)

SS is one of the classic syndromes associated with sensory neuronopathy

T /F

It is safe to use Remicade for RA in a patient with concomitant RRMS

T/ F

References (reviews)

• • • • • • • • Continuum; Neurologic Complications of Systemic Disease (access via VPN or AAN membership). Feb 2008, 2011 The dorsal root ganglion under attack: the acquired sensory ganglionopathies. Pract Neurol 2010; 10: 326–334 Intravenous thrombolysis in Sneddon’s syndrome. Case Reports / Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 19 (2012) 326–328 Neurosarcoidosis: a clinical dilemma. Lancet Neurology. Neurology Vol 3 July 2004 Metabolic Encephalopathies. Neurol Clin 29 (2011) 837–882 Robbins Pathology – Sarcoid pathophysiology Bradley: NICP Uptodate.com

• Curr Opin Neurol 2012, 25:306–315

SLE SS Systemic Sclerosis RA Behcet