Specialities

Cardiology

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 30, 2024

[Thrombolysis treatment and multi- disciplinary management of central retinal artery occlusion in comparison with traditional ophthalmological treatment options ]

VAJDA Szilvia, GUNDA Bence, KNÉZY Krisztina, BARSI Péter, VARGA Csaba, MAUROVICH-HORVAT Pál, BERECZKI Dániel, NAGY Zoltán Zsolt

[The management of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) has long been conservative therapy with limited efficacy carried out in ophthalmology departments together with etiolo­gi­cal investigations lacking a standardised protocol. However, CRAO is analogous to ischemic central nervous system stroke and is associated with increased stroke risk, thus, systemic thrombolysis treatment and multidisciplinary management can be beneficial. Since May 2022, at Semmelweis University CRAO patients diagnosed within 4.5 hours are given intravenous thrombolysis therapy and undergo etiologic workup based on current stroke protocols. Here we report our experience with the multidisciplinary, protocol-based management of CRAO in comparison with former non-protocol based ophthalmological conservative treatment.

We reviewed CRAO patients’ data treated conservatively and with paracentesis within 6 hours at the Department of Ophthalmology between 2013 and 2022 including changes in visual acuity, neurolo­gical and cardiovascular findings compared to those in the thrombolysis project. 

Of the 78 patients receiving non-protocol care, visual improvement was seen in 37% with natural course, 47% with conservative treatment and 47% with paracentesis. Four patients had significant carotid stenosis (2 underwent endarterectomy), 1 carotid dissection, 6 cardioembolism and 1 giant cell arteritis. Of the 4 patients within 4,5 hours, 3 gave their consent to the clinical trial and were treated with thrombolysis and underwent a full etiological assessment. 
2 pa­tients had improved visual acuity, 2 pa­tients had significant carotid stenosis and underwent endarterectomy, 1 patient was started on anticoagulation for newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

CRAO patients presenting within 4,5 hours are rare and more patients are needed in our study to establish the efficacy of thrombolysis. However uniform protocollized evaluation helps identifying embolic sources thus, avoiding further and potentially more serious thromboembolic events.]

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 30, 2024

Neuropathic pain and mood disorders in earthquake survivors with peripheral nerve injuries

HALIL Can ALAYDIN, GUL Melisa BOZDOGAN, RUMEYSA PALTACI, ZULFIKAR ARLIER, HALIT FIDANCI, MEHMET YILDIZ

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, frequently result in mood disorders among affected individuals. It is established that neuropathic pain arising from traumatic neuropathies is also linked to mood disorders. This study investigates the influence of neuropathic pain on the development of mood disorders in earthquake survivors with peripheral nerve injuries, following the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023.

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 30, 2024

The effect of anesthetic blockade of greater occipital nerve during the withdrawal period of the medication overuse headache treatment

MIRAC Aysen UNSAL, TUGRUL AYDIN

Discontinuation of medication still remains a key element in the treatment of medication overuse headache (MOH), but there is no consensus on the withdrawal procedure. We aimed to share the promising results of anesthetic blockade of greater occipital nerve (GON), which can be an alternative to existing treatments during the early withdrawal period of MOH treatment.