123I-amphetamine-SPECT in classical migraine and migraine accompagnée

Migraine is considered to be a functional neurological disorder. In classical migraine (headache associated with prodromal visual field disturbances) and migraine accompagnée (headache associated with transient neurological symptoms), disturbances of cerebral blood flow and amine metabolism are thought to be pathogenetic factors. However, conventional methods of neuroimaging (CAT, NMR) usually do not yield any pathological findings in patients. Since 123I-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) crosses the intact blood brain barrier, 123I-IMP-SPECT is used for the assessment of cerebral perfusion in various neurological diseases, including functional disorders. 123I-IMP-SPECT was performed on 5 patients with classical migraine and 18 patients with migraine accompagnée. At the time of investigation, all patients were symptom-free. Cerebral blood flow was decreased in all patients with migraine accompagnée, and often corresponded to the site of headache as well as to the topography of transient neurological symptoms. This reduction was most obvious in a patient with persisting neurological symptoms. Most patients with classical migraine, however, did not show any alteration of cerebral perfusion. It appears that migraine--and in particular migraine accompagnée--is characterized by a permanent alteration not only of cerebral blood flow but also of neuronal activity. Migraine attacks may occur in connection with exacerbations of preexisting metabolic alterations.     

Cluster headache after orbital exenteration

A 37-year old man developed an ipsilateral headache which fulfilled the criteria for cluster headache after orbital exenteration because of traumatic lesion of the bulb. The headache could be treated successfully by drugs usually applied in the therapy of cluster headache. Six similar cases of cluster headache after orbital exenteration could be identified in the literature suggesting that the eye itself is not necessarily part of the pathogenesis of cluster headache. We hypothesize that orbital exenteration can cause cluster headache by lesions of sympathetic structures. Possibly, these mechanisms are similar to those of sympathetic reflex dystrophy (Sudeck-Leriche syndrome) causing pain of the limbs.     

HIV associated arthritis: case report and review of the literature

HIV infection can be associated with different types of arthropathies which are often underdiagnosed. We present the case of a 52 year old HIV positive man on highly active antiretroviral therapy including indinavir who developed an acute painful oligoarthritis. We present this case on HIV associated arthritis and include a review on other HIV specific types of arthritis (acute symmetric arthritis and painful articular syndrome) which are assumed as entities exclusively apparent in HIV patients. The pathophysiology of arthritis in HIV infected patients is not yet completely understood but a direct role of the HIV on the initiation of synovitis is suspected in some of them. Additionally, there is evidence that antiretroviral drugs, in particular the protease inhibitor indinavir, can lead to arthritic complications as well.     

Carotid artery dissection in ergotamine abuse

The case of a 65-year-old male migraine patient with spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection is presented. He had been abusing ergotamine compounds for several years on at least 15 days per month. A possible association between arterial dissection and ergotamine abuse is discussed.     

Clarion 1.2 standard electrode array with partial space-filling positioner: radiological and histological evaluation in human temporal bones

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether use of a positioner for situating the Clarion 1.29 standard electrode array in close proximity to the modiolus, causes damage to fine intra-cochlear structures, and to provide a comparison with results obtained for insertions of the array performed without a positioner. The study was performed in seven freshly frozen human temporal bones. Electrode location and intra-cochlear trauma was analysed using cross-sectional imaging and histological analysis. Insertion of the Clarion array did not reveal major trauma. The devices inserted with the positioner showed a consistently closer location of the electron array towards the modiolus, however, insertion resulted in significant displacement of both the electrode array and the positioner resulting in severe destruction of the basilar membrane and osseous spiral lamina along the length of the basal and middle turns. The devices inserted with the positioner resulted in major trauma to the basilar membrane and osseous spiral lamina. Therefore, systematic safety studies in larger samples of human temporal bones should be performed and the results carefully evaluated before implantation can be recommended unreservedly.