1.Congestive myelopathy due to spinal dural arteriovenous fistula mimicking CNS demyelinating disease
Nakhoon KIM ; Hongil KIM ; Hyunkee KIM ; Jinseok PARK
Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery 2022;24(4):398-403
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is known for its ambiguous and various clinical presentations. Among these presentations, congestive myelopathy is one of the most common, yet it is challenging to correctly diagnose SDAVF at initial presentation. Several diseases present as myelopathy, including demyelinating diseases. Herein, we present two cases of congestive myelopathy due to SDAVF presenting to the emergency room (ER) with progressive quadriparesis. Even though the patients had a proper magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination from the initial presentation, there was a delay in making a final diagnosis. Both patients’ clinical presentation and MRI mimicked central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease initially, and a more thorough examination revealed SDAVF. Such a delay in diagnosis can result in more neurological deterioration and may result in more sequelae. Hence, SDAVF should always be considered as a differential diagnosis when examining patients with myelopathy.
3.CLOCC Patient after COVID-19 (BNT162b) Vaccine Improved by Steroid Treatment
Hyunkee KIM ; Nakhoon KIM ; Saemi CHOI ; A-yeung KIM ; Hojin CHOI
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2022;40(3):243-246
Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCC) are secondary lesions on corpus callosum caused by cytokinopathy of callosal neurons and microglia. Fever, headache, and digestive disturbances are common symptoms. Reversible and hyperintense signals on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and decreased apparent diffusion coefficient are typical features of magnetic resonance imaging. Herein, we report a rare case of CLOCC caused by COVID19 vaccination (BNT162b) and discharged without no neurologic symptoms due to prompt treatment.
4.Effects of Telephone Hotline Counseling Program on Stroke Care
Baik Kyun KIM ; Dong-Wan KANG ; Do Yeon KIM ; Jung Hyun PARK ; Ji-Seok WOO ; Young-Hee KIM ; Hyun-Sook KIM ; Min-Joo MOON ; Jeong-Yoon LEE ; Hyung Seok GUK ; Nakhoon KIM ; Sang-Won CHOI ; Hakyeu AHN ; Bosco Seong Kyu YANG ; Jun Yup KIM ; Jihoon KANG ; Moon-Ku HAN ; Hee-Joon BAE ; Beom Joon KIM
Health Policy and Management 2023;33(2):185-193
Background:
This study focuses on the establishment and operation of a stroke patient hotline program to help patients and their caregivers determine when acute neurological changes require emergency attention.Method: The stroke hotline was established at the Gyeonggi Regional Cerebrovascular Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, in June 2016. Patients diagnosed with stroke during admission or in outpatient clinics were registered and provided with stroke education. Consulting nurses managed hotline calls and made decisions about outpatient schedules or emergency room referrals, consulting physicians when necessary. The study analyzed consultation records from June 2016 to December 2020, assessing consultation volumes and types. Outcomes and hotline satisfaction were also evaluated.
Results:
Over this period, 6,851 patients were registered, with 1,173 patients (18%) undergoing 3,356 hotline consultations. The average monthly consultation volume increased from 29.2 cases in 2016 to 92.3 cases in 2020. Common consultation types included stroke symptoms (22.3%), blood pressure/glucose inquiries (12.8%), and surgery/procedure questions (12.6%). Unexpected outpatient visits decreased from 103 cases before the hotline to 81 cases after. Among the 2,244 consultations between January 2019 and December 2020, 9.6% were recommended hospital visits, with two cases requiring intra-arterial thrombectomy. Patient satisfaction ratings of 9–10 points increased from 64% in 2019 to 69% in 2020.
Conclusion
The stroke hotline program effectively reduced unexpected outpatient visits and achieved high patient satisfaction.Expanding the program could enhance the management of stroke-related neurological symptoms and minimize unnecessary healthcare resource utilization.