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Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery is a leading cause of stroke and TIA, particularly in young patients. The antithrombotic treatment with or without an interventional procedure is a unanimously accepted indication for the prevention of the ischemic events in these patients. Whether anticoagulants or antiplatelets as antithrombotics are a better option is a matter of debate. The authors, based on clinical and pathophysiological data in the published studies and their own experience argue in favour of antiplatelets in most cases, without excluding the need of anticoagulants in some cases, due to the lack of objective proofs for the superiority of anticoagulants in this pathology and at the same time, a better safety profile of antiplatelets. To have a clear-cut answer to this debate, a large comparative randomized clinical trial between the two types of treatment is desirable.

Rationale: Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, also named Pierre Marie–Bamberger syndrome, represents a rare medical condition that may be considered either a primary or a secondary disease, and lung malignancies are responsible for more than two-thirds of the cases with secondary forms of the disease. Patient concerns: We present the case of a 41-year-old man referred to our Neurology Department for pain that was considered secondary to cervical disc protrusions. The neurologic examination was normal. However, the general examination showed digital clubbing, right lateral cervical adenopathy, and pachydermia. The radiographic examinations of the upper and lower limbs depicted osseous abnormalities typical for periostosis, and the computed tomography of the thorax showed the presence of a mass lesion in the right upper pulmonary lobe. High values of vascular endothelial growth factor were also found. The patient was admitted to the Pneumology Clinic, where biopsy was performed from the lateral cervical adenopathy. Diagnoses: The anatomopathological examination revealed multiple neoplastic infiltrates suggestive of adenocarcinoma metastasis. Based on the clinical examination and radiological and histologic findings, the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lymph nodes metastases and paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteoarthropathy was established. Interventions: The patient received treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and opiate analgesics that relieved the pain. Outcomes: The patient was referred to the Oncology Department for further treatment of the primary pathology. He received different types of chemotherapeutics, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, despite all therapeutic measures, the disease rapidly progressed and the patient died 9 months later. Lessons: This is an interesting case of a patient with an overlooked pathology, which was refereed to our clinic for further investigations of a pain that was considered neuropathic, secondary to small cervical protrusions. Conversely, the pain proved to be nociceptive and Pierre Marie–Bamberger syndrome was the positive diagnosis in our patient, as it can be associated with numerous diseases, especially of neoplastic origin.

Background: Ginkgo biloba is a commonsymptomatic treatment for cognitive impairment, although data on its efficacy are controversial. Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761® (Tanakan®) on the improvements in cognitive functions over 24 months in a local cohort of patients diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods: This multicentre non-interventional study included 500 eligible patients with aMCI treated with 120 mg/day standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761® (Tanakan®). Patients were evaluated using several scales for assessment of cognition, memory, activities of daily living and depression (MMSE, FAQ, CGI, HAM-D) at baseline and every 6 months thereafter for a 24-month period. The median change in MMSE at the 24-month follow-up was the primary outcome of the study. Results: A statistically significant increase of 2 points in the median MMSE score was obtained. In patients with other concomitant cognitive disorders, the improvement in MMSE was less significant. Tanakan® improved memory impairment (using the delayed recall test) and the ability to accomplish activities of daily living (mean FAQ score, 1.7); it also decreased the severity of depression (mean HAM-D score, 2.4) at the end of the study. More than 80% of the patients showed at least minimal improvement of their condition as assessed by the CGI-Improvement Scale. Conclusions: The administration of EGb761® (Tanakan®) led to a significant improvement of cognitive decline, memory, activities of daily living and depression in subjects with aMCI over 24 months.

Rationale: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by numerous immunological abnormalities that lead to multiorgan involvement. Central and peripheral nervous system manifestations are present in 8% to 92% of the cases of SLE. Furthermore, there have been reported cases of secondary autoimmune myelofibrosis associated with SLE. Patient concerns: We present the case of a 64-year-old female who was transferred from the Cardiology Department, where she was admitted for pericardial-pleural-peritoneal effusion after being discharged from another hospital following the resolution of a febrile episode. During hospitalization, she presented multiple oculomotor nerves palsies and weakness in the lower limbs. Serial cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive cerebral venous thrombosis. Nerve conduction studies showed sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy. Thoracic MRI revealed a rare finding in patients with SLE – lytic lesions. Diagnoses: Extensive clinical, imaging, blood, and urine tests were performed. The patient exhibited pancytopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, hyperhomocysteinemia, mild hypoproteinemia, and severe proteinuria. The Hematology consultation ascertained that the peripheral blood smear and the bone marrow aspiration showed no alterations suggestive for a primary hematological disease and the thoracic vertebral-medullary MRI changes had a very low probability of representing osteolytic lesions in the context of plasma cells dyscrasia, but could not exclude their being result of a secondary autoimmune myelofibrosis. Immunology blood tests highlighted the presence of antinuclear antibodies and lupus anticoagulants. In this context, the Rheumatology consultation established the diagnosis of SLE with multiple complications. Interventions: The patient received treatment with cyclophosphamide. Outcomes: The ocular motricity problems and the paraparesis showed improvement. However, 1 week later, the patient developed weakness, dyspnea, and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The abdominal-pelvic computed tomography scan indicated an acute right retroperitoneal hematoma with active bleeding for which she underwent arterial embolization of the spinal lumbar arteries with optimal result, but she died a few days later. Lessons: We chose to present this case in order to highlight the importance of interdisciplinarity in diagnosing and managing patients with SLE and multiorgan ailments, especially when faced with rare constellations of complications such as extensive cerebral venous thrombosis and osseous lytic lesions caused by secondary autoimmune myelofibrosis.

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