Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following nephropathia epidemica

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an acute monophasic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) occurring days to weeks after a virus infection or vaccination. Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Puumala virus, with endemic regions in Europe, especially Scandinavia and Western Russia. We describe a case of severe nephropathia epidemica requiring dialysis, followed by severe CNS symptoms caused by ADEM. To our best knowledge this is the first case in the literature in which NE caused ADEM.     

Validity and reliability of adult recall of past sun exposure in a case-control study of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of past sun exposure through recall by adults has the potential for measurement error. We aimed to investigate aspects of validity and reliability of self-reported past sun exposure. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Tasmania on 136 cases with multiple sclerosis and 272 age- and sex-matched community controls. Repeat interviews on 52 cases and 52 controls were done on average 11 weeks after the initial interview. Sun exposure was assessed by questionnaire and lifetime calendar. Other measurements included serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, actinic damage, and skin phenotype. RESULTS: There was an association between recent sun exposure and serum vitamin D (time in the sun: r = 0.22, P < 0.01; activities outside: r = 0.31, P < 0.01 for controls) and between lifetime sun exposure and actinic damage [correlation between 0.34 (P < 0.01) and 0.17 (P = 0.01) for controls]. The test-retest weighted kappa statistic of self-reported sun exposure ranged from 0.43 to 0.74. Recall of childhood/adolescent sun exposure by standardized questioning was no less reproducible than recall of recent adult sun exposure and no less reliable when made with the calendar method. Comparing the questionnaire and calendar method, the measures of childhood/adolescent sun exposure had a similar predictive validity for multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide further evidence that adults are able to recall past sun exposure with shown validity and reliability and present information about the possible reasons for the good reliability of recalled sun exposure measures.     

Brainstem activation specific to migraine headache

Findings from functional imaging studies have shown activation of the brainstem during migraine without aura (MWOA) and activation of the hypothalamus during cluster headache. We assessed a patient with cluster headache and migraine by positron emission tomography during an active cluster headache after he had taken 1.2 glyceryl trinitate. The patient developed a typical MWOA, during which we saw activation in the dorsal rostral brainstem. There was no activation in the region of the hypothalamus. Our findings provide evidence that migraine involves the brainstem, and show several areas involved in cluster headaches. Our data show the potential for objective distinction between primary headache syndromes with functional imaging, in disorders hitherto distinguished on clinical grounds.     

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: A clinical review from a general hospital

A review of 212 cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) in a general hospital during an 8.5 year period documents clinical features and suggests refinement of treatment. Features such as sex, age at onset and presentation were similar to other studies. There was a preponderance of infants born in the summer. Premature infants represented 10% of the series, and the most premature (<33 weeks gestation) presented later after birth (40 vs 25 days). Diagnosis was clinical in 65% of cases, but 4% presented before physical examination and diagnostic tests were positive. At the time of admission only 15% had significant abnormalities of serum electrolytes (chloride <85 mmol/L). The periumbilical incision resulted in a hidden scar. Duodenal perforation (3.3%) and wound dehiscence (1.4%) are related to technical factors and can be avoided. The timing of commencement of postoperative feeds did not influence the rate of vomiting. The average length of stay was 3.5 days. These results are discussed with suggestions about how to minimize diagnostic tests and length of hospital stay.     

A 2-year follow-up of orphans' competence, socioemotional problems and post-traumatic stress symptoms in traditional foster care and orphanages in Iraqi Kurdistan

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to compare orphans' development in two different care systems. METHODS: Based on age, sex, psychological trauma scores, competence and psychological problem scores, two comparable samples were found representing orphans in the traditional foster care (n = 94) and the orphanages (n = 48) in a middle-large city in Iraqi Kurdistan. At an index interview, Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Harvard-Uppsala Trauma Questionnaire for Children and Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children (PTSS-C) were administered to the caregivers. After 1 year the CBCL, and after 2 years both the CBCL and the PTSS-C, were-re-administered, consecutively. RESULTS: Although both samples revealed significant decrease in the means of total competence and problem scores over time, the improvement in activity scale, externalizing problem scores and post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms proved to be more significant in the foster care than in the orphanages. While the activity scale improved in the foster care, the school competence deteriorated in both samples, particularly among the girls in the orphanages. The improvement of boys' activity scores in the foster care, and deterioration of girls' school competence in the orphanages were the most significant gender differences between samples over time. CONCLUSIONS: Even if the two orphan care systems showed more similarities than differences, the foster care revealed better outcomes over time. The results are discussed in relation to gender, age, socio-economic situation, cultural values and the characteristics of each care system.     

Trachéotomie et traumatisme crânien grave : pour qui ? Pourquoi ? Quand ? Comment ?

The aim of this study is to determine, from the data available in the literature, the indications of tracheostomy in brain injured patients, the incidence and risk factors for complications and the follow-up required until decannulation. The incidence of tracheostomy is 10% in TBI and 50 to 70% in subpopulations with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) below 9. Early complications are not specific. The most frequent late complication is laryngotracheal stenosis, which occurs in 15% and is more frequently observed in the most severe patients with major hypertonia. It is likely that tracheostomy, if needed, should be performed early and the prognosis as to whether it will be required, can be made at the end of the first week. The follow-up of these patients includes surveillance of multiresistant colonisations and systematic performance of fibroscopy before decannulation. Cuffless, small diameters, soft tracheostomy tubes, are preferred on the long-term unless the risk of aspiration remains high.     

Voiding pattern and acquisition of bladder control from birth to age 6 years--a longitudinal study

PURPOSE: We describe the voiding pattern and acquisition of bladder control in healthy children up to age 6 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined age for daytime and nighttime dryness, voiding patterns, voiding volumes and post-void residual volume per 4 hours individually and noninvasively every 3 months up to age 3 years and every 6 months up to age 6 years in 36 female and 23 male patients using 4-hour voiding observation and uroflowmetry/ultrasound. RESULTS: Median age for attaining daytime and nighttime dryness was 3.5 and 4 years, respectively. No significant difference was found between girls and boys. All but 1 child attained daytime dryness an average of 10 months before attaining nighttime dryness. Bladder sensation was reported in 31%, 79% and 100% of patients at ages 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Median bladder capacity was 67 ml, 123 ml and 140 ml at years 1, 3 and 6, respectively. Median post-void residual volume was 5.5 ml, 0 ml and 2 ml at ages 1, 3 and 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Today bladder control is acquired at a later stage despite earlier awareness of bladder function. The occurrence of bladder sensation from age 1.5 years motivates an earlier start with toilet training. Infants with small post-void residual volume at age 6 months or large bladder capacity will probably attain daytime dryness earlier than those with large post-void residual volume at age 6 months or small bladder capacity.     

Bone structure and volumetric density in young adults born prematurely: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography study

Prematurity is known to be associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in childhood, but whether this condition has long-term detrimental consequences on adult bone structure is not known. In this study, we measured with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) the total bone cross-sectional area, cortical area and wall thickness, cortical and trabecular density, and a density-weighed polar section modulus as a bone strength index (BSI) at distal and shaft sites of right radius and tibia in a group of 40 prematurely born, otherwise normally developed and healthy young adults (17 women and 23 men, aged 18 to 27 years) and compared their data to corresponding data obtained from a group of 42 control subjects born term (20 women and 22 men, aged 18 to 28 years). Body height and weight were similar in both groups, but the preterm group had significantly lower BSI values at distal sites of tibia (approximately -16%) and radius (approximately -13%) and at tibial shaft (approximately -11%) as compared to control group. In the weight-bearing tibia, BMC was lower and the lower BSI values were mainly due to smaller total bone cross-sectional area. For unknown reason, this prematurity-associated detrimental effect seemed to concern more men than women. In contrast, prematurity was not associated with volumetric trabecular and cortical densities at any measured bone site while the typical sex differences in bone density were observed. We conclude that prematurity is associated with somewhat smaller cross-sectional bone dimensions in terms of body size in young adulthood. Due to the cross-sectional design, this study could not reveal specific reasons but they may pertain to nutrition during the neonatal period and living habits in general.     

Botulinum toxin injections and hypertonic upper limbs. Which functional results?]

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections for hypertonic upper limbs in patients with residual motricity that allows a functional use of the hand. METHODS: Patients were seen between February 2000 and November 2002, before and after botulinum toxin injections for hypertonic upper limbs due to upper motor neuron syndrome. All patients had voluntary motricity in fingers and wrist extensors. Impairment (range of motion, spasticity [Ashworth's scale]), pain (10 centimeters visual analog scale) prehension (400-point measure) and patients' satisfaction were recorded. Two or three functional goals were predefined. Patients were injected after locating the target area with neurostimulation. The aim of the injections was functional improvement. RESULTS: Eight patients were included. After injections, mean pain score decreased by 3.4 points; mean spasticity decreased by 1.0; and prehension improved, especially for bimanual functions. Three-quarters of the functional goals were reached. Optimal efficacy required repeated injections, with modification of muscle targets and doses. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin injection is efficient for impairment, pain and prehension in hypertonic upper limbs, even if the hypertonic hand is still the "nondominant" hand. Motricity in antagonist muscles is essential for functional improvement, and the assessment must include bimanual tasks. Intrinsic as well as extrinsic muscles must be injected and a neurostimulator used for forearm muscles. Comparative studies are required to define more clearly the place of this treatment among medical and surgical treatments of spasticity.     

An audit of first seizures presenting to an Accident and Emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether patients presenting after a first seizure to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department were being managed according to consensus recommendations. DESIGN: Retrospective audit. SETTING: UK District General Hospital over 6 months. METHODOLOGY: Hand search of Accident and Emergency notes for diagnoses of "seizure", "fit", "epilepsy" and "epileptic fit", followed by scrutiny of hospital and General Practice (GP) medical notes. RESULTS: Eighty three percent of patients discharged from the A&E department with a letter to take to their general practitioners, but only 20% of those referred directly to the neurology clinic, were lost to follow-up. Of the patients seen as out-patients by a neurologist, the median waiting time to clinic was 22 weeks, 18 weeks longer than recommended. The average time to having an MRI scan and EEG performed were 12 and 15 weeks, respectively. Twenty percent of patients seen by a neurologist were not felt to need further investigation for epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: All patients presenting after a first seizure should be directly referred to a neurology clinic from the A&E department. The currently proposed target time to specialist review is unrealistic without significant resource improvements. The provision of diagnostic guidelines and telephone advice by the neurology team prior to discharge from A&E may avoid unnecessary investigation.