Journal of the Neurological Sciences issue 473 now available

Social and economic impacts of pediatric neurovascular surgery: Part 1 a qualitative study of parent experiences

Published online: April 20, 2025

Pediatric neurovascular disease can have lasting impacts on quality of life. High direct healthcare costs have been noted, yet indirect costs have not been explored. This qualitative study was part 1 of a series designed to explore the family experience with neurosurgical treatment of neurovascular conditions.

Parents of children who had neurovascular surgery at our institution (2022−2023) underwent semi-structured interviews. Concepts explored included: access to treatment, financial and emotional impacts, and recovery.

EQ-5D-5L is a relevant tool for detecting patients with myasthenia gravis needing medical treatment

Published online: April 7, 2025

The generic and easy-to-use questionnaire EQ-5D-5L measures health status in five dimensions and is translated into one utility score, EQ-Utility. The study examined if the EQ-5D-5L could be a useful tool for identifying difficult-to-treat patients with myasthenia gravis who needed new therapies.

The patients were informed about the study by phone and invited for a test visit. Close to the test visit, the patients completed online questionnaires.

Clinicopathological heterogeneity and complexity of polymicrobial brain abscesses

Published online: May 2, 2025

Polymicrobial brain abscess (PBA) is a complex infection caused by two or more pathogens and a life-threatening condition with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We retrospectively identified PBAs in 31 patients (24 males and 7 females) and examined their clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics. These characteristics of PBAs were compared with those of monomicrobial BAs (MBAs) in a previously reported cohort of 113 patients in our institution. PBAs and MBAs had a few similarities such as nonspecific clinical presentations, a male predilection, and similar prognosis following surgical intervention with broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy.

Methotrexate-induced neurotoxicity in oncology: Current issues for a classic drug

Published online: April 22, 2025

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite with immunosuppressive and antineoplastic properties extensively used in cancer treatment. It is administered through various routes, including intravenous and intrathecal. MTX inhibits the dihydrofolate reductase, thereby disrupting folic acid metabolism and impending DNA synthesis. Despite its efficacy, MTX administration can result in significant toxicity, affecting multiple organs and leading to potential side effects like myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, renal failure, mucositis and neurotoxicity.