Citicoline in the treatment of essential tremor

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Citicoline for the treatment of patients affected by essential tremor. The study was conducted in the Neurology Department at King Hussein Medical Centre. A total of 18 subjects were non-randomly selected and enrolled in the study [8 males, 10 females], with a mean age of 62.6 years. The primary outcome measure was the degree of tremor compared to baseline as measured by the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor. The mean duration of symptoms among the study group was 6 years. All patients were evaluated at least twice, at enrollment and 8 weeks after starting treatment. The dose was 2ml twice daily [equivalent to 400mg /daily] taken orally. Seven subjects showed marked improvement on Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor. Seven subjects showed moderate improvements, and 2 subjects showed mild improvement, and two subjects showed no change. The overall improvement in all treated subjects was 89% [T-Value = 8.42, P-Value = 0.000]. The main side effects encountered during the treatment period were gastrointestinal symptoms in two subjects [11%], anxiety in one subject [6%], headache in one subject [6%], dizziness in one subject [6%], and insomnia in another [6%]. Citicoline significantly improved essential tremor in this small group of subjects

Percutaneous biopsy for spinal lesions initial experience, advantages and outcome

Thirty six cases of percutaneous biopsies for spinal lesions were carried out at King Hussein Medical Center in the period January 1995 till January 1999 in an attempt to obviate the need for open surgery, and to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates associated with open back surgery. All the patients who were subjected to percutaneous biopsies had localised spinal pathology on computed tomography [CT] scan or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. All the biopsies have been performed under local anesthesia. Bi-planar fluoroscopy control was used as radiology guidance in lumbar and cervical biopsies. CT controlled biopsies were used for cervical, dorsal, and sacral lesions. The Ackerman trephine needle was used in all patients. Several core biopsies for pathological examination and culture were obtained from all patients. No serious complications were registered. Out of the 36 cases only seven cases were not diagnosed using percutaneous biopsy. Percutaneous biopsy proved to be safe, quick, and a reliable alternative to open surgery biopsy in this respect