Browsing by Author "Rodenbeck, Stefanie J."

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    Examining the ocular fundus in neurology
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2019-02) Rodenbeck, Stefanie J.; Mackay, Devin D.; Neurology, School of Medicine
    Purpose of review The funduscopic examination can be a technically difficult, and often omitted, portion of the neurologic examination, despite its great potential to influence patient care. Recent findings Medical practitioners are often first taught to examine the ocular fundus using a direct ophthalmoscope, however, this skill requires frequent practice. Nonmydriatic tabletop and portable fundus photography and even smartphone-based photography offer alternative and practical means for approaching examination of the ocular fundus. These alternative tools have been shown to be practical in a variety of settings including ambulatory clinics and emergency departments. Decreased retinal microvascular density detected with fundus photography has been linked to accelerated rates of cognitive decline. Research has also found optic disc pallor and retinopathy detected via fundus photography to be more prevalent in patients with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack. Summary Alternative methods of funduscopic examination based on fundus photography have the potential to improve the ease of use, portability, and availability of funduscopy. Recognition of changes in retinal microvasculature has the potential to noninvasively identify patients at the highest risk for cognitive impairment and cerebrovascular disease. However, further research is needed to determine the specific utility of measurements of retinal microvascular changes in clinical care. Innovative funduscopy techniques offer neurologists new approaches to this essential facet of the neurological examination.
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    Matched oligoclonal bands: Diagnostic utility and clinical characteristics
    (Wiley, 2024) Hoshina, Yoji; Abbatemarco, Justin R.; Rodenbeck, Stefanie J.; Poon, Jason T.; Liu, Suzanne C.; Soldan, M. Mateo Paz; Greenlee, John E.; Rose, John W.; Peterson, Lisa K.; Johnson, Lisa; Delic, Alen; Smith, Tammy L.; Clardy, Stacey L.; Neurology, School of Medicine
    Objective: To describe patient clinical characteristics associated with matched oligoclonal bands (OCB). Methods: A retrospective review at the University of Utah examined patients with matched OCB from 2015 to 2020. Clinical data, diagnosis, and outcomes were collected. Patients were classified with either multiple sclerosis (MS), other inflammatory neurologic disorder (other-IND), or noninflammatory neurologic disorder (NIND). Results: Of 539 identified patients, 436 (53.4% female) were matched-only, while 103 (43.7% female) were matched + unique. Patients with matched-only bands were older (57.4 ± 16 vs. 52 ± 14.2, p < 0.001) and more likely to have a history of autoimmune disease (40.1% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.024) and/or cancer (28.7% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.012). Patients with matched + unique bands were more likely to have CSF pleocytosis (52.4% vs. 25.9%, p < 0.001), high IgG index (52.2% vs. 7.6%, p < 0.001), and an abnormal MRI (86.9% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001). More than two-thirds of matched-only patients had NIND, while 33% and 41.7% of matched + unique patients had MS and other-IND, respectively. Patients exhibiting matched-only bands and a high IgG index demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of other-IND compared to those with matched-only bands and a normal IgG index (55.6% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.013). While Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated higher mortality in the matched-only cohort compared to the matched + unique cohort (p = 0.02), multivariable Cox regression analysis showed this difference was not statistically significant when adjusting for various factors. A history of cancer was the significant predictor of increased mortality risk (Hazard ratio = 3.147, 95% CI [2.196, 4.51]). Interpretation: Patients with matched only versus matched + unique OCB have distinct clinical profiles.