MRI-guided LITT is a safe and effective alternative to selective amygdalohippocampectomy and anterior temporal lobectomy for mTLE with MTS. Nevertheless, its efficacy in those without MTS seems modest. Large multicentre and prospective studies are warranted to further determine the efficacy and safety of LITT.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by high levels of psychological distress and alexithymia, a personality disposition affecting emotional self-awareness. The main aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time the relationship between alexithymia and coping strategies on the one hand, and alexithymia and perceived social support on the other, in a sample of FM patients. To reach this aim, 153 FM patients completed a battery of tests assessing coping strategies, perceived social support, alexithymia, psychological distress and pain intensity. Four regression analyses were performed to assess whether alexithymia was still a significant predictor of coping strategies and perceived social support, after controlling for psychological distress. High levels of both psychological distress and alexithymia were found in our sample of FM patients. Regarding coping strategies, FM patients reported higher scores on problem-focused coping, with respect to the other two coping strategies. The regression analyses showed that the externally-oriented thinking factor of alexithymia significantly explained both problem- and emotion-focused coping, while the difficulty-describing feelings factor of alexithymia proved to be a significant predictor of perceived social support. Only the variance of dysfunctional coping ceased to be uniquely explained by alexithymia (difficulty identifying feelings factor), after controlling for psychological distress, particularly anxiety. These results highlight a negative relationship between alexithymia and both the use of effective coping strategies and the levels of perceived social support in FM patients. An adequate assessment of both alexithymia and psychological distress should therefore be included in clinical practice with these patients.
Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has created unprecedented healthcare challenges. Neurologic deficits are often an important presenting symptom. To date, the only reported post-infectious COVID-19 manifestations of neurologic disease include cognitive deficits and dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. Here we report that seizure can also be a post-COVID-19 or “long-COVID” complication. We present a 71-year-old man with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 diagnosed by RT-PCR who initially presented with posterior circulation stroke-like symptoms, which completely resolved after emergent thrombolysis. Six days later, the patient returned with seizure activity, supported by radiographic and electroencephalographic studies. Notably, he was negative for SARS-CoV-2, and no other provoking factor was uncovered after a comprehensive work-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of post-infectious seizures after a case of COVID-19, highlighting the potential importance of monitoring for neurologic symptoms in COVID-19 patients, even after convalescence.
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