Heart rate recovery and diastolic blood pressure ratio on the treadmill test predict an induction and recurrence of vasovagal syncope

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#The induction and recurrence of syncope is a concerning situation that could be unpredicted in the vasovagal syncope (VVS). We investigated a simple predictor for the induced and recurrent VVS during Head-Up table-tilt Test (HUT) and clinically follow-up.@*METHODS@#The 143 consecutive patients with VVS (age 31 ± 19 years, 33 male) who referred by a cardiologist or neurologist and had undergone an echocardiogram, HUT, and a treadmill exercise test (TMT) were recruited and clinically follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups based on the result of HUT and TMT. The data was analyzed and compared between VVS patients and control 141 patients without VVS who were enrolled in the same study period (age 40 ± 5 years, 117 male).@*RESULTS@#The heart rate recovery (HRR), recovery systolic blood pressure (RecSBP), recovery diastolic blood pressure (RecDBP), HRR/RecSBP and HRR/RecDBP were significantly different between controls and VVS during the TMT. Within VVS, even if, baseline characteristics were similar between negative and positive HUT (n = 92 vs. n = 51). HRR (31 ± 10 vs. 35 ± 10), HRR/RecSBP (0.24 ± 0.09 vs. 0.28 ± 0.09) and HRR/RecDBP (0.49 ± 0.18 vs. 0.58 ± 0.19) were significantly different between negative and positive HUT results. Especially, HRR/RecSBP and HRR/RecDBP were significantly correlated with induced syncope with a sensitivity and specificity ([60%, 83%] cut-off, 0.31; [72%, 80%] cut-off, 0.63). In the Cox regression, HRR/RecDBP were significantly associated with recurrence of VVS with hazard ratio of 3.29 (confidence interval, 0.95 to 11.3; p = 0.049).@*CONCLUSIONS@#HRR/RecDBP may be a useful predictor for induction during HUT and recurrence during follow-up in the VVS.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Combined With Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been rarely reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We describe the clinical, electrophysiological, and pathologic findings in a 73-year-old female with established limited cutaneous SSc who later developed CIDP. The patient had progressive limb weakness, sensory loss, and slow nerve conduction velocities. Sural nerve biopsy showed evidence of demyelination and remyelination. This case demonstrates that chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy can be an unusual manifestation of SSc, presumably resulting from an immune-mediated process.

Acute Peripheral Neuropathy, as One of Early Manifestations in Crohn's Disease

Acute neuropathic complications rarely develop in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A case of acute peripheral neuropathy that developed only 4 weeks after a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) is reported herein. Peripheral neuropathy can be a rare extraintestinal manifestation of CD. Early recognition and proper management of the neurologic complications are crucial for preventing the associated morbidity.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology that is characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory disturbance, and exaggerated tenderness over particular paired locations. Fibromyalgia is found in 2% to 4% of the general population and more common in women, with symptoms usually appearing between 20 and 55 years of age. The diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome established in 1990 by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), includes widespread pain for at least 3 months and point tenderness upon the application of a 4 kg weight at 11 or more of the 18 characteristic tender points. The 2010 ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria have been developed, which are strongly correlated with the 1990 ACR criteria and provide an alternative approach to diagnosis. Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome have lower pain thresholds and experience an altered temporal summation to pain stimuli. The sensitization of pain perception occurs in the dorsal horn of patients with fibromyalgia. However, it is unknown whether sensitization is due to increased pain fiber facilitation, or decreased inhibition. Pregabalin is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the management of fibromyalgia patients. Tricyclic antidepressants, cardiovascular exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy and patient education are also effective in reducing the pain experienced by fibromyalgia patients. This article provides an overview of fibromyalgia syndrome, which is currently thought to be partly responsible for chronic diffuse pain.

The Localizing and Lateralizing Value of Auras in Lesional Partial Epilepsy Patients

PURPOSE: We investigated the localizing and lateralizing values of auras in patients with lesional partial epilepsy on an outpatient basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 276 subjects were retrospectively selected for this study if they had a unilateral single lobar lesion based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) results, and their scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were not discordant with the MRI-defined lobar localization and lateralization. According to the lesion locations, subjects were considered as having mesial temporal (MTLE), lateral temporal (LTLE), frontal (FLE), parietal (PLE), or occipital (OLE) lobe epilepsies. Auras were classified into 13 categories. RESULTS: A hundred and seventy-six subjects (63.8%) had experienced at least one aura. FLE subjects had the fewest number of auras. Epigastric and psychic auras were frequent among MTLE subjects, while visual auras were common in those with PLE and OLE. Somatosensory auras and whole body sensations were more frequent in the subjects with PLE than those without. Autonomic auras were more common in MTLE subjects than in LTLE subjects. Dysphasic auras were more frequently found in left-sided epilepsies. Five pairs of aura categories showed concurrent tendencies, which were the epigastric and autonomic auras, autonomic and emotional auras, visual and vestibular auras, auditory and vestibular auras, and whole-body sensation and auditory auras. Autonomic and emotional auras had a concurrent tendency in left-sided epilepsies, but not in right-sided epilepsies. CONCLUSION: Our results support the previously known localizing value of auras, and suggest that dysphasic auras and the association of emotional and autonomic auras may have a lateralizing value.

Cervical Myelopathy Resulting From Non-Rheumatoid Atlantoaxial Subluxation

Degenerative pannus arising from the atlanto-axial articulation is a rare entity, which is associated with chronic atlanto-axial instability in degenerative arthropathies. Due to cervical instability and the mass effect on the spinal cord, it can produce severe neck pain and compressive myelopathy. We report a case of cervical myelopathy resulting from non-rheumatoid atlanto-axial subluxation. The posterior stabilization provided excellent neurological improvement and pannus regression. Early recognition of this condition is important as the clinical condition will deteriorate without surgical interventions.

Moraxella Meningoencephalitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Moraxella is an aerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus, which is rarely associated with serious and invasive infections. Because of its rarity, the clinical significance and appropriate therapy for infections due to Moraxella are not well understood. We report a case of meningoencephalitis caused by Moraxella. The patient presented with fever and confusion and was successfully treated with beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics. We also review 8 previously published cases of Moraxella meningitis or meningoencephalitis.

Brainstem Infarction Complicated by Pneumococcal Ventriculitis / 대한뇌졸중학회지

We report an adult case of pontine infarct complicated by a community-acquired pneumococcal ventriculitis. An 85-year-old woman was referred to the hospital with left-sided weakness and persistent fever despite antibiotics therapy. Diffusion weight magnetic resonance image revealed high signal intensity on the right paramedian pontine and the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, white blood cell count was 2,720 /mm3, glucose level was 4 mg/dL (simultaneous blood glucose level was 135 mg/dL), and CSF protein level was 2,025.4 mg/dL. On admission day 4, CSF culture showed Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite continuous antibiotics treatment, she expired on admission day 7. In patients with pneumococcal ventriculitis, despite high mortality as in this case, early detection and treatment improve clinical outcome. Also aggressive treatment (intraventricular antibiotics injection, and pus drainage) should be considered.

Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Viral Encephalitis

The World Health Organization declared that a new strain of novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus was responsible for the pandemic infection in June 2009. We report a case of encephalitis diagnosed as the H1N1 virus infection. We describe a 17-year-old patient who had a seizure attack, diagnosed with a H1N1 virus infection via real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The H1N1 virus infection can be causative of the encephalitis, as with other influenza virus infections. Careful monitoring is essential for reducing complications.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Cavernous Hemangiomas Presented With Radiculopathy

Cavernous hemangioma may exist in the spinal cord as well as intracranium. Intramedullary spinal cord cavernous hemangioma usually manifests with myelopathy. We report a case of intramedullary cavernous hemangiomas having presented with isolated radicular pain.

Neurocutaneous Melanosis Presenting as Chronic Partial Epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) and the proliferation of melanocytes in the central nervous system, usually involving the leptomeninges. Chronic partial epilepsy as a sole manifestation is rare in NCM. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old man suffering from chronic partial epilepsy presented with multiple CMN on his trunk and scalp. Brain MRI demonstrated a focal lesion in the right amygdala that was consistent with interictal epileptiform discharges in the right temporal region on electroencephalography (EEG). An anterior temporal lobectomy was performed, and the pathology investigation revealed numerous melanophages in the amygdala. The patient was seizure-free after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report a patient with NCM presenting as chronic partial epilepsy who was successfully treated by anterior temporal lobectomy.

Clinical Analysis on Patients with Altered Mental Status in the Emergency Department: Elderly versus Adult Patients

BACKGROUND: We compared elderly and adult patients and tried to find a way to make an early diagnosis and proper management for elderly patients with altered mental status in the emergency department(ED). METHODS: During one year, two groups -123 elderly patients over 65 years and 127 adult patients from 20 to 64 years who visited ED in National Police Hospital(NPH)-were selected. Sex, age, arrival time after symptom onset, means of transportation, underlying diseases, causative disease, time of notification to other departments, and pattern of discharge of two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The average age of the elderly and the adults were 76.43+/-9.51 and 42.12+/-15.0(yrs), respectively. As for the means of transportation, 84% of the elderly used a 911 ambulance service, and 11% used other emergency services. The average times from symptom onset to arrival for two groups were 124 minutes and 69 minutes, respectively. 86.99% of the elderly and 68.38% of the adults had underlying diseases. As for final diagnosis, cerebrovascular disease for the elderly and cardiovascular disease for the adults were the main causes. When patients left the hospital, rate of transfer to other hospital was higher in the elderly(60.2%), and rate of discharge was higher in the adults(15.8%). CONCLUSION: The elderly patients had more intracranial causes and needed longer time for diagnosis than the adult patients. In the case of the patients with intracranial cause who needed an emergency care, they were usually diagnosed at the secondary medical facility and then transferred to the other hospitals for proper treatment causing bad effect on the prognosis of the treatment due to time delay.

Three Cases of Transient Global Amnesia with Focal High Signal Intensity in Hippocampus in Diffusion Weighted Image

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is an amnesic disorder which is characterized by temporary loss of anterograde and recent retrograde memory with preserved consciousness. Though the pathogenesis of TGA is still unclear, current hypotheses include migraine, seizure, or cerebral ischemia. We present three patients with TGA who showed signal intensity change in diffusion weighted image in hippocampus. These findings might suggest that ischemia in hippocampus might be the cause of the TGA.

Chronic Recurrent Cholangitis Induced by Carbamazepine / 대한간질학회지

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the most commonly used antiepileptic agents. With its potent effects against seizure or neuropathic pain, it also has several undesirable adverse events. CBZ has been known to induce hepatotoxicity because the drug is mainly metabolized through hepatic system, and asymptomatic liver enzyme elevation occurs in 5~10% of patients receiving CBZ. There are several cases of symptomatic hepatitis or hepatic necrosis by CBZ, however, reports of chronic cholangitis associated with CBZ medication are rare. Here, we present a case of chronic recurrent cholangitis by CBZ with pathological evidence.

Ictal Nose Wiping in a Patient with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy / 대한간질학회지

Seizure-associated nose wiping occurs usually during postictal period and is more frequent in temporal than extratemporal lobe epilepsy. The hand used to wipe the nose is highly suggestive of ipsilateral partial seizure onset. We describe a patient with the left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, who showed ictal nose wiping by the left hand. The hypothetical mechanism remains unknown but may be a response to olfactory aura or increased ictal nasal secretions. In this patient, subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) study revealed hyperperfusion mainly in the left temporal lobe, especially amygdala. Our patient may support an important role of amygdala concerned with olfactory system or autonomic activity in provoking nose wiping.

Clinical Characteristics of Schizophrenic Patients who Committed Homicide / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that schizophrenic patients are at increased risk to commit acts of aggression, and aggressive behaviors have severe critical results for the patients and victims. The purpose of the present study is to assess the homicidal behaviors of schizophrenic patients as a extreme case of aggressiveness. METHODS: 93 homicidal schizophrenic patients and 93 non-homicidal schizophrenic patients participated in this study. Diagnostic evaluation was made with SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV), and personality trait was evaluated with SIDP (Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders). Symptom evaluation was done with PANSS (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale), and violent behaviors were assessed with LHA (Life History of Aggression) and OAS (Overt Aggression Scale). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic variables, schizotypal personality trait and antisocial personality trait between two groups. Mean age at homicidal commitment was 34+/-8.9 years and 9.8+/-7.5 years after the onset of illness. The major criminal victims were the parents of the patients(N=49, 53.7%). The aggressiveness was higher in homicidal schizophrenic patients in LHA and OAS scales. There were statistical significances in separate items of the PANSS scale such as excitement (P4), poor rapport (N3), lack of judgement and insight (G12), disturbance of volition (G13), poor impulse control (G14) and active social avoidnance (G16), but not in the positive, negative, general subscales and the total scores of the PANSS scale. CONCLUSION: Excitement and poor impulse control persisted in homicidal schizophrenics, although overt psychotic symptoms decline after proper treatment. Homicidal behavior can be preventive if proper treatment for excitement and poor impulse control are given.

The Psychological Characteristics of the Patients with Tension-Type Headache: Using MMPI

BACKGROUND: The investigations of personality traits have been the issue of many studies on patients with tension-type headache. However, there was few comparison study of personality traits between the patients with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). METHODS: The study was consecutively made of the personality profiles of two groups with ETTH (137 patients) and CTTH (115 patients) in accordance with the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, employing the MMPI. RESULTS: The two groups could be classified into three clusters by a multivariate cluster analysis, which are relatively normal profile (cluster I), somatic profile (cluster II, elevated Hs-D-Hy scales), and psychosomatic profile (cluster III, elevated Pa-Pt-Sc-Si and Hs-D-Hy scales). The proportion of the patients with CTTH in the psychosomatic profile group was stastically more significant (59.6%) than that of the patients with ETTH (40.4%) by a chi-square test. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the psychosomatic profile might be more common in the CTTH patients than in the ETTH patients.

Cerebral White Matter Lesions and Apolipoprotein E polymorphism

BACKGROUND: Cerebral white matter lesions(WMLs), such as leukoaraiosis, may be related to damage from cerebral ischemia and may also be associated with the degenerative process. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 allele is a risk factor for degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer`s disease, and ischemic brain damage through acceleration of atherosclerosis. No study has been performed regarding WMLs and APOE genotype in Korea. We investigated the association between WMLs and APOE among Koreans. METHODS: Brain MRI was performed in 225 subjects(ages 61 to 85 years) without neuropsychiatric disease randomly selected from the Ansan Health Cohort Study. WMLs observed on 225 MRI scans were rated in terms of severity by 2 raters. All study subjects underwent APOE genotyping. RESULTS: WMLs were observed in 109(48.4%) of subjects. In the subjects with WMLs, the distribution of APOE genotypes was 0.9% for epsilon 2/epsilon 2, 11.0% for epsilon2/epsilon3, 1.8% for epsilon2/epsilon4, 61.5% for epsilon3/epsilon3, 22.9% for epsilon3/epsilon4, and 1.8% for epsilon4/epsilon4, respectively. The distribution of APOE genotypes did not differ between subjects with and without WMLs. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that there is no association between WMLs and APOE genotypes in Koreans.