International Journal of Neurorehabilitation

Regional anesthesia techniques for orthopedic surgeries have become more frequently utilized for postoperative analgesia. A commonly used technique for shoulder surgery is the interscalene brachial plexus nerve block which involves anesthetizing nerves of the shoulder. Unfortunately, patients can experience a transient phrenic nerve block resulting in dyspnea. Rarely this develops into a persistent phrenic nerve block that can out last the duration of the local anesthetics deposited around the brachial plexus. Patients with a persistent phrenic nerve block can present to neurologists and other specialists with symptoms that appear to have a cardiac or pulmonary etiology requiring prompt diagnosis and management.

Recent randomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. A pooled analysis of these trials has confirmed the known fact that time to intervention is a significant independent factor in good outcome in ischemic stroke. In order to reduce patient transfer time to an endovascular-capable stroke center, we analyzed the workflow in a novel case of helicopter transfer of neurointerventionalist to a stroke patient in a primary stroke center. This proof of concept case demonstrates the feasibility of such a process and offers an additional tool in advancing endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke.

Various immune-mediated disorders are associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Behçet’s disease (BD) is chronic, relapsing, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. It is characterized by recurrent urogenital aphthae and systemic manifestations, including ocular disease, skin lesions, gastrointestinal involvement, mammary manifestations, vascular disease, and arthritis. BD has been associated with malignancy in a few case series and case reports. However, the relationship between Behçet’s disease (BD) and breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we consider the relationship between BD and breast cancer through analysis of the medical literature and a review of our own experience.