Trends in prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs among older adult inpatients in a Brazilian tertiary center / Tendências no padrão de prescrição de drogas antiepilépticas em idosos internados em um centro terciário brasileiro

ABSTRACT Background: Data on prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to older adult inpatients are limited. Objective: To assess changes in prescribing patterns of AEDs to older adult inpatients with late-onset epilepsy between 2009-2010 and 2015-2019, and to interpret any unexpected patterns over the 2015-2019 period. Methods: Patients aged ≥60 years with late-onset epilepsy from a tertiary center were selected. Demographic data, seizure characteristics and etiology, comorbidities, and comedications were analyzed, in addition to prescription regimens of inpatients taking AEDs to treat epilepsy. AED regimens were categorized into two groups: group 1 included appropriate AEDs (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, clobazam, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, and lacosamide); and group 2 comprised suboptimal AEDs (phenytoin and phenobarbital). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for prescription of suboptimal AEDs. Results: 134 patients were included in the study (mean age: 77.2±9.6 years). A significant reduction in the prescription of suboptimal AEDs (from 73.3 to 51.5%; p<0.001) was found; however, phenytoin remained the most commonly prescribed AED to older adult inpatients. We also found an increase in the prescription of lamotrigine (from 5.5 to 33.6%) and levetiracetam (from 0 to 29.1%) over time. Convulsive status epilepticus (SE) and acute symptomatic seizures associated with remote and progressive etiologies were risk factors for the prescription of suboptimal AEDs. Conclusions: Phenytoin was the main suboptimal AED prescribed in our population, and convulsive SE and acute symptomatic seizures associated with some etiologies were independent risk factors for phenytoin prescription. These results suggest ongoing commitment to reducing the prescription of suboptimal AEDs, particularly phenytoin in Brazilian emergence rooms.

RESUMO Introdução: Os dados referentes à prescrição de drogas antiepilépticas (DAE) em pacientes idosos hospitalizados são limitados. Objetivo: Avaliar as mudanças no padrão de prescrição de DAE em idosos hospitalizados com epilepsia de início tardio, entre 2009-2010 e 2015-2019, e interpretar quaisquer padrões inesperados no período de 2015-2019. Métodos: Foram selecionados pacientes com ≥60 anos com epilepsia de início tardio admitidos em um centro terciário. Analisamos os dados demográficos, as características e etiologia das crises, as comorbidades e as comedicações. Foram avaliados os esquemas de prescrição das DAE no tratamento de epilepsia para pacientes internados. Os regimes de DAE foram categorizados em dois grupos: o grupo 1 incluiu as DAE apropriadas (carbamazepina, oxcarbazepina, ácido valproico, gabapentina, clobazam, lamotrigina, levetiracetam, topiramato e lacosamida); e o grupo 2 compreendeu as DAE subótimas (fenitoína e fenobarbital). A análise de regressão logística multivariada foi realizada para identificar fatores de risco para prescrição de DAE subótimas. Resultados: Foram incluídos 134 pacientes (idade média: 77,2±9,6 anos). Encontramos uma redução significativa do uso das DAE subótimas (73,3 para 51,5%; p<0.001); entretanto, a fenitoína permaneceu sendo a DAE mais prescrita para os idosos hospitalizados. Também encontramos um aumento na prescrição da lamotrigina (5,5 para 33,6%) e do levetiracetam (0 para 29,1%) no período. O estado de mal epiléptico (EME) convulsivo e as crises agudas sintomáticas que estiveram associadas a etiologias remotas e progressivas foram fatores de risco para prescrição de DAE subótimas. Conclusões: A fenitoína foi a principal DAE subótima prescrita em nossa população, e o EME convulsivo e as crises agudas sintomáticas associadas a algumas etiologias foram fatores independentes de risco para a prescrição da fenitoína. Esses resultados sugerem a necessidade de compromisso contínuo para reduzir a prescrição de DAE subótimas, particularmente a fenitoína nas salas de emergência brasileiras.

Necrolisis epidérmica tóxica inducida por difenilhidantoina. a propósito de un caso / Diphenylhydantoin-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis: a case report

La Necrólisis Epidérmica Tóxica (NET) o síndrome de Lyell y el Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson (SSJ) constituyenun espectro de la misma enfermedad, ambas comparten aspectos etiopatogénicos, histológicos y terapéuticos. La NET es un síndrome agudo de escasa ocurrencia y representa probablemente la entidad dermatológica másgrave conocida, cursa clínicamente con la formación de ampollas, necrosis de la epidermis y desprendimiento de la misma. Las manifestaciones sistémicas son fundamentalmente respiratorias, gastrointestinales y renales; lamortalidad es de 70%. Generalmente es desencadenada por fármacos, especialmente los anticonvulsivantes como la Difenilhidantoína. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 60 años, con antecedente de crisis convulsivas que fueron tratadas con Difenilhidantoína, quien desarrolló posteriormente un exantema vesículo-ampollar cuya presentación, distribución, compromiso sistémico, asociación temporal con el fármaco y el grado de extensión, apoyaron al diagnóstico de NET.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Lyell´ syndrome and Stevens-Johnson´s syndrome are variants of a same disease sharing pathogenic, histopathological and therapeutic approaches. TEN is an acute and rare presentation and it is considered the most severe dermatologic entity, characterized by blisters, necrosis and sloughing of the dermis. Systemic manifestations are basically respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal; mortality is 70%. TEN is usually druginduced, especially by antiseizure medications including diphenylhydantoin. We present the case of a 60 year-oldmale treated with diphenylhydantoin for seizures that developed a bullous rash whose clinical presentation; body distribution; systemic involvement and temporal association supported the diagnosis of TEN.

Cavernomatosis múltiple y aneurisma cerebral trombosado: una asociación inusual / Cavernous haemangioma multiple and brain aneurysm thrombosed: an unusual association

Los cavernomas son malformaciones angiográficamente ocultas, pueden ser únicos o múltiples y esporádica o familiar.Suelen asociarse a otras malformaciones vasculares como las anomalías de drenaje venoso, sin embargo no es habitual su asociación con aneurismas cerebrales. Los aneurismas son malformaciones evidenciables en angiografía, sin embargo cuando se encuentran trombosados puede dificultarse su diagnostico, observándose en algunos casos como lesiones pseudotumorales. Nuestro objetivo es exponer una rara asociación entre cavernomatosis múltiple y aneurisma cerebral trombosado en un paciente pediátrico. Presentamos una paciente de 2 años de edad con diagnóstico de cavernomatosis múltiple y aneurisma cerebral trombosado. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura de ambas entidades y su rara asociación, medianteuna búsqueda exhaustiva en la base de datos de PUBMED Y COCHRANE utilizando las siguientes palabras claves: Cavernous angioma. Familial cavernomatosis. Hemorrhagic stroke. Multiple cavernomatosis. Cerebral aneurysm. Thrombosed aneurysm. Se discute la epidemiologia, diagnóstico y manejo quirúrgico de la cavernomatosis múltiple y sus asociaciones, preconizando fundamentalmente la evaluación pre quirúrgica de estos pacientes. No encontramos ningún caso de asociación entre cavernomatosis múltiple y aneurismas en nuestra revisión bibliográfica. Dado que se pueden presentar como lesiones pseudotumorales, la tomografía computada, resonancia magnética y la angiografía cerebral son métodos fundamentales para llegar a un diagnostico prequirúrgico certero. La indicación quirúrgica debe ser evaluada individualmente en cada paciente, y se debe realizar un seguimiento clínico-imagenologico.

Cavernomas are angiographically occult malformations may be single or multiple and sporadic or familial. Usually associated with other vascular malformations such as venous drainage anomalies, however it is not common its association with brain aneurysms. Aneurysms are into evidence malformations in angiography, however when they meet their diagnosis can be difficult thrombosed observed in some cases as pseudotumoral injuries. Our goal is to present a rare association between multiple cavernous haemangioma and thrombosed cerebral aneurysm in a pediatric patient. We present a patient 2 years old diagnosed with multiple cavernous haemangioma and thrombosed cerebral aneurysm. A review of the literature of both entities and its rare association is done through an exhaustive search in the database PUBMED and COCHRANE using the following keywords: Cavernous angioma. Familial cavernous haemangioma. Hemorrhagic stroke. Multiple cavernous haemangioma. Brain aneurysm. Thrombosed aneurysm. The epidemiology, diagnosis and surgical management of multiple cavernous haemangioma and their associations is discussedessentially advocating the presurgical evaluation of these patients. No case of association between multiple cavernous haemangioma and aneurysms in our literature review. Because can be presented as pseudotumoral lesions, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography are fundamental methods to reach an certain diagnosis preoperatively. The surgical indication should be evaluated individually for each patient, and should be performed a clinical-imaging follow-up.

The Anticonvulsant Effect of Eupatorium Birmanicum DC Leave Extract Alone and in Combination with Phenytoin Against MES Seizure in Albino Mice.

To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Eupatorium birmanicum DC leave (EB) alone and in combination with phenytoin against MES seizure in albino mice. Method: Aqueous extract of EB was prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. The anticonvulsant effect of the extract was tested on prescreened albino mice at 3 doses (200, 400 & 800 mg/kg). After 1 hr of oral administration of EB the animals were subjected to MES seizures by convulsiometer with a current of 45 mA for 0.2 sec via transauricular electrodes and the duration of the THLE was recorded. Sub-anticonvulsant dose of phenytoin was also determined and the effect of its combination with the most effective dose of EB tested. Results: EB aqueous extract exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity in the MES model at doses 400 mg/ kg (p<0.01) & 800 mg/kg (p<0.001). This reduction in the duration of THLE at 800mg/kg of EB was further reduced significantly (p<0.001) when combined with subanticonvulsant doses of phenytoin (10mg/kg). Conclusion: The aqueous extract of E. birmanicum leaves showed significant anticonvulsant activity in MES seizure model in albino mice and it significantly increased the anticonvulsant effect of phenytoin in the same animal model.

Scientific production on the applicability of phenytoin in wound healing / A produção científica acerca da aplicabilidade da fenitoína na cicatrização de feridas / La produccion cientifica acerca de la aplicabilidad de la fenitoina en la cicatrizacion de heridas

Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant that has been used in wound healing. The objectives of this study were to describe how the scientific production presents the use ofphenytoinas a healing agent and to discuss its applicability in wounds. A literature review and hierarchy analysis of evidence-based practices was performed. Eighteen articles were analyzed that tested the intervention in wounds such as leprosy ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, trophic ulcers, war wounds, burns, preparation of recipient graft area, radiodermatitis and post-extraction of melanocytic nevi. Systemic use ofphenytoinin the treatment of fistulas and the hypothesis of topical use in the treatment of vitiligo were found. In conclusion, topical use ofphenytoinis scientifically evidenced. However robust research is needed that supports a protocol for the use ofphenytoinas another option of a healing agent in clinical practice.

La fenitoína es un anticonvulsivo que se utiliza en la cicatrización de heridas. Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron: describir cómo la producción científica presenta el uso de la fenitoína como agente cicatrizante y discutir su aplicabilidad en las heridas. Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura y el análisis por la jerarquía de las prácticas basadas en las evidencias. Se analizaron 18 artículos que probaron la intervención en heridas como úlceras en la pierna por hanseniasis, pie diabético, úlceras por presión, tróficas, heridas de guerra, quemadura, preparación de la zona a injertar, radiodermitis y post extracción de nevos melanocíticos. Se encontró el uso sistémico de la fenitoína en el tratamiento de fístulas y la hipótesis del uso tópico en el tratamiento del vitíligo. Se concluye que la fenitoína tópica es una evidencia científica. Sin embargo, se necesita de investigaciones sólidas que sustenten el uso protocolar de la fenitoína como una opción más, considerándolo un agente cicatrizante en la práctica clínica.

A fenitoína é um anticonvulsivante que vem sendo empregado na cicatrização de ferida. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: descrever como a produção científica apresenta o uso da fenitoína como agente cicatrizante e discutir sua aplicabilidade em feridas. Foi realizada, para tanto, revisão integrativa da literatura e análise pela hierarquia das práticas baseadas em evidências. Assim, analisaram-se 18 artigos que testaram a intervenção em feridas como úlceras de perna, por hanseníase, pé diabético, úlceras por pressão, tróficas, ferimentos de guerra, queimaduras, preparo da área receptora de enxerto, radiodermites e pós-extração de nevos melanocíticos. Uso sistêmico da fenitoína no tratamento de fístulas e a hipótese do uso tópico no tratamento do vitiligo foram achados. Conclui-se que a fenitoína tópica é uma evidência científica. No entanto necessita-se de pesquisas robustas que sustentem o uso protocolar da fenitoína como mais uma opção de agente cicatrizante na prática clínica.

Trombosis de seno venoso secundaria a traumatismo encéfalo craneano: caso clínico / Cerebral vein thrombosis secondary to closed head injury: Report of one case

Intracranial sinus thrombosis (1ST) after closed head injury is an uncommon but potentially serious complication. It has no correlation with the severity of the injury. The symptoms and clinical course are highly variable. The most frequent but least specific symptom is severe headache. Cerebral lesions and neurologic signs develop in half of patients with IST. We report a 29 year-old male who had an IST after a severe closed head injury. The patient initially developed headache and had later 2 secondarily generalized seizures. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin and intravenous phenytoin was started. At the moment of this report he is asymptomatic and continues with oral anticoagulants and phenytoin.

Complications of post-operative seizure prophylaxis in patients submitted to cranial irradiation

The clinical status of patients with malignant intracranial tumors, such as high-grade gliomas, is often aggravated by seizure activity. Phenytoin is typically employed as prophylactic anticonvulsant in this setting. In such patients, severe systemic drug reactions such as erythema multiforme (EM) may occur. However, in a subgroup of patients with brain radiation therapy, EM-like lesions appear to develop in an increased ratio. The acronym ‘EMPACT’ (E: erythema; M: multiform; associated with P: phenytoin; A: and; C: cranial, radiation; T: therapy) has been suggested to best describes this syndrome. In this article, the authors present a case report of a patient treated with phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis, during the post-operative period following resection of a malignant glioma, and who presented a severe cutaneous rash, evolving with serious consequences due to abrupt change of seizure medications. Because of these predictable complications we abandoned our routine institutional protocol which employed phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis for patients in the post-operative period following malignant tumor resection and which expect to be irradiated in the near future. Once both carbamazepine and barbiturates show cross-sensitivity with phenytoin and may interfere with serum levels of chemotherapy drugs, we now advocate, as other worldwide renown neuro-oncological centers, the use of valproate gabapentin, or alternatively, as recent literature guidelines suggests levetiracetam (keppra), for seizure prophylaxis in this select subset of patients.

El estado clínico de los pacientes con tumores malignos intracraneales, como los gliomas de alto grado, es a menudo agravado por la actividad convulsiva. La fenitoína es normalmente empleadaa como anticonvulsivante profiláctico en esto contexto. En estos pacientes, graves reacciones sistémicas, como eritema multiforme (EM) puedem ocurrir. Sin embargo, en un subgrupo de pacientes con terapia de radiación en el cerebro, lesiones de EM, parece que se desarrollan en una proporción mayor. ‘EMPACT’ La sigla (E: eritema, M: multiforme; asociados con P: fenitoína; A: y C: la radiación craneal, T: La terapia) Se ha sugerido que mejor describe este síndrome. En esto artículo, los autores presentan un caso clínico de un paciente tratado con fenitoína para la profilaxia de convulsiones, durante el período post-operatorio después de la resección de un glioma maligno, y que presenta una erupción cutánea grave, que evoluciona con consecuencias graves debido al cambio brusco de medicamentos anticonvulsivos. Debido a estas complicaciones predecibles, que abandonamos nuestro protocolo institucional de rutina que la fenitoína empleadas para la profilaxia de convulsiones en los pacientes en el período post-operatorio después de la resección del tumor maligno y que esperan ser irradiado en un futuro próximo. Una vez que ambos carbamazepina y los barbitúricos mostran sensibilidad cruzada con fenitoína y puede interferir con los niveles séricos de drogas de la quimioterapia, ahora defendemos, como otros centros de renombre mundial neuro-oncológico, el uso de gabapentina valproato, o bien, como orientación la literatura reciente sugiere levetiracetam (keppra), para la profilaxia de las convulsiones en este subgrupo seleccionado de pacientes.

Gingival overgrowth and drug association: A review.

Drugs used locally or systemically induce several alterations in micro and macroscopic tissues. However, nearly 20 drugs have been reported so far in the literature associated with gingival enlargement. Many systemic diseases have limited therapeutic options and such drugs or their metabolites have an adverse influence on different systems/organs, and one of these is that they initiate or accelerate the overgrowth of gingival tissue. The increase in size may be to the extent that teeth may be partially or completely covered, and the resultant 'gummy smile' may result in aesthetic concern for the patient.In the presence of bacterial inflammation in the gingiva, many of these drugs enhance the production of collagen by fibroblast cells, and simultaneously retard the destruction of collagen and hence increase the bulk of gingival tissue. It is apparent that there is a subpopulation of fibroblasts which is sensitive to these drugs. The exuberant growth of gingival tissue is of great aesthetic concern, which may require mechanical removal of bacterial plaque, calculus, and surgical intervention, and/or substitution of the drug with analogs. A relatively healthy oral environment provided by the dentist will reduce local microflora that will help in eliminating the major focus of infection. Physicians, general practitioners, and dentists need to make a coordinated and concise treatment plan that will be beneficial for the patients. This article will facilitate full information to physicians to involve dentists in the multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Comportamiento del estatus convulsivo en niños atendidos en la UCI-P del Hospital Fernando Vélez Paiz de enero 2008-diciembre 2009 / Convulsive status behavior in children treated at the ICU-P Fernando Velez Paiz Hospital January 2008-December 2009

El estudio realizado en niños con Estatus Convulsivo ingresados en la UCIP del HFVP de Enero 2008- Diciembre 2009 la muestra fue de 16 pacientes.En relación a la edad y el sexo, el grupo etareo más afectado fue de 1- 5 años con 58%(9), siendo 6(38%) masculino y 19%(3) femeninas, seguido del 6-10 años con el 19%, de estos13%(2) masculino y 6%(1) femenino.Al revisar los antecedentes patológicos personales el 38%(6) tenía antecedentes de convulsión febril, Epilepsia 25%(5) y el 13%(2) asfixia perinatal. La principal etiología del EC fue la Epilepsia en 44%(7), seguida de la supresión del tratamiento anticonvulsivante y la fiebre en un 25% respectivamente. En el tratamiento se utilizó la Difenilhidantoina en 15 pacientes, la dosis de impregnación fue 18-20 mg/kg en el 80%(12), el Fenobarbital se utilizó en 3 pacientes, con dosis de impregnación de 10mg/kg/d en el 60% de los pacientes que se uso. En el tratamiento de mantenimiento el fármaco más utilizado fue la Difenilhidantoina en 12 pacientes, a dosis 5mg/kg/día en el 75%, seguido del Acido Valproico en 7 pacientes a dosis de 15 mg/kg/día y Fenobarbital en 4 pacientes a dosis 5mg/kg/día .La ventilación mecánica se utilizó en 5 pacientes, de estos el 40% estuvo 4-6 días con soporte ventilatorios.Dentro de los estudios complementarios realizados en los pacientescon estatus convulsivo: al 75% se les realizó Ionograma encontrando Hipocalcemia en el 44%(7), e Hiponatremia e hipernatremia en el 13%(2) de los casos respectivamente.Se presentaron complicaciones en 7 pacientes, y la complicación que se presento con mayor frecuencia fue las alteraciones electrolíticas en el 50%(7), seguida del edema cerebral 35%(5), la hemorragia intracraneal y el infarto isquémico en el 7% respectivamente.La condición de egreso el 100% de los pacientes estudiados fue dado de alta y de estos el 88%(14) no presento ninguna secuela, solo el 13%(2) presentó secuelas dentro de ellas hemiparesias e hipotonía.

Nuevos horizontes en el tratamiento de las callosidades plantares de la paquioniquia congénita / New horizons in the treatment of plantar callosities congenital pachyonychia

Los avances recientes en el campo de la terapia génica, tales como el desarrollo de ARN de cadena corta inhibitorios (ARNsi) capaces de silenciar la expresión de alelos mutados dominantes, ofrecen nuevas expectativas para el tratamiento de la queratodermia plantar en pacientes con paquioniquia congénita. Revisamos brevemente las características clínicas de esta entidad y describimos un estudio de fase 1 que arrojó resultados prometedores. Los mismos serían aplicables a todo el campo de las enfermedades monogénicas.

Recent advances in the genetic therapy field like development of short inhibitory RNA (RNAsi) capable of silencing mutant dominant alleles, offer new expectations for treatment of plantar keratoderma in patients with pachyonichya congenita. We briefly review clinical features of this entity and describe a fase 1 study that showed promising results that may be usefull for the whole monogenic diseases field.

Guidelines for diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy.

Justification: Seizures constitute the most common neurological problem in children and the majority of epilepsy has its onset in childhood. Appropriate diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy is essential to improve quality of life in these children. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, modified to the Indian setting by a panel of experts, are not available. Process: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics organized a consensus meeting on the diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy on 22-23 of July 2006 at Mumbai. An expert committee was formed consisting of pediatricians, pediatric epileptologists, pediatric and adult neurologists, electrophysiologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and intensivists. A consensus was reached during the discussion that followed presentation by each of these experts. The process of updating these recommendations and arriving at consensus continued till 2009. Objectives: To develop practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy. Recommendations: Recommendations for diagnosis and management of following childhood seizures and epilepsies are given: neonatal seizures, acute symptomatic seizures, neurocysticercosis, febrile seizures, idiopathic partial and generalized epilepsies, first unprovoked seizure, newly diagnosed epilepsy, catastrophic epilepsies of infancy, refractory epilepsies of older children and adolescents, epilepsy with cognitive deterioration and status epilepticus.

Basal ganglia involvement in herpes simplex encephalitis.

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a leading cause of sporadic, nonepidemic viral encephalitis in children and adults. We report a very rare case of HSE with involvement of bilateral thalamus, putamen, upper pons and midbrain, with development of extrapyramidal symptoms which responded to corticosteroid therapy. A 15-mth-old female baby admitted with complaint of fever for 5 days and generalised tonic clonic seizure 10 hours before admission. On clinical examination patient was drowsy, temperature was 39.4 oC and vitals were stable with signs of increased intracranial tension. There were no signs of meningeal irritation. Patient gradually become unconscious in the next few hours and pupils were constricted bilaterally with development of atonia in all four limbs and neck muscles. Doll’s eye phenomenon was absent.

Bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction following viper bite.

The viper is one of India’s most commonly encountered poisonous snakes and envenomation following viper bite usually leads to consumption coagulopathy. Clinical manifestations most frequently include external and internal bleeding. In the setting of viper envenomation, large-vessel thrombosis is a very rare occurrence. Also, bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction, when unrelated to anatomical abnormalities, subarachnoid haemorrhage, surgery or trauma, itself is an exceedingly rare event. We report a case of a 24-year-old previously healthy man who presented with bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction following a viper bite. We also present hypotheses that may explain this unusual occurrence. ©

Effect of phenytoin and valproic acid therapy on serum lipid levels and liver function tests.

We conducted a case control study to evaluate the effect of phenytoin and valproic acid on serum lipids and liver function tests in epileptic children. Seventy-nine children receiving at least 6 months of antiepileptic monotherapy were categorized into two groups, depending on whether they were receiving phenytoin or valproic acid. Age matched healthy controls were also included. The mean total cholesterol (TC) in children on phenytoin therapy was significantly higher than the control group (P=0.03). Serum triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, were not significantly different in the three groups. The proportion of children with TC > 200mg/dL was significantly higher in the phenytoin group. We recommend monitoring of serum lipids of epileptic children receiving phenytoin.

Severe phenytoin-induced gingival enlargement associated with periodontitis: rational model for its clinical management

This case report documented a severe gingival enlargement associated with periodontitis in a patient under antiepileptic therapy and provided a rational model for its clinical management. Initially, full-mouth scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instructions and phenyto in with drawal were performed. However, clinical results demonstrated just partial resolution of upper jaw gingival hyperplasia after non-surgical therapy. Subsequently, surgical therapy was indicated for the upper jaw teeth. After the surgical therapy, complete reduction of gingival enlargement was observed. This report described the challenges faced by the oral and medical health practitioners in developing appropriate prevention and treatment for antiepileptic drug users, particularly for periodontal patients.

O presente relato documentou o aumento gengival induzido por fenitoína associado com periodontite apresentado por uma paciente sob terapia antiepiléptica, e propôs um modelo adequado para o manejamento clínico do caso. Inicialmente, realizou-se raspagem e aplainamento radicular completos, instruções de higiene bucal e substituição da fenitoína. Mas os resultados clínicos demonstraram resolução incompleta da hiperplasia do arco superior após a terapia não cirúrgica. Por isso, subseqüentemente, foi indicada para o arco superior a terapia periodontal cirúrgica, que acarretou em resolução completa do aumento gengival. Este relato de caso descreveu as dificuldades encontradas por profissionais médicos e odontológicos para o desenvolvimento de métodos preventivos e terapêuticos adequados para usuários de drogas antiepilépticas, particularmente pacientes com doença periodontal.

Potencial terapêutico da fenitoína na cicatrização de radiodermites / Therapeutical potential of the phenytoin in the cicatrisation of radiotherapy lesions

A fenitoína é um anticonvulsivante cujo potencial cicatrizante norteou investigações clínicas em relação à alta incidência de hiperplasia gengival em pacientes epiléticos. O texto seguinte traz o relato de seu uso em lesão causada pela radioterapia empregada em um paciente portador de câncer de laringe. Obteve-se epitelização após cerca de 14 dias de aplicação tópica da solução endovenosa de fenitoína. Este resultado pode ser um dado relevante para o desenvolvimento de produtos e formas de cuidado no tratamento das radiodermites.

Manifestação clínica familiar em pacientes com defeito neuromesoectodérmico / Familial clinical manifestation in patients with neuromesoectodermic defect

Relatamos a associação de dois casos distintos de neuromesoectodermose ocorridos em uma mesma família, um manifestado através da neurofibromatose tipo 1 e outro através da esclerose tuberosa. O encontro de dois distúrbios entre primos de primeiro grau, ocasionados por diferentes mutações genéticas e transmitidos por herança autossômica dominante, sugere uma possível correlação entre eles. Também são descritas as manifestações clínicas, suas conseqüências e os critérios diagnósticos das duas doenças, visando ressaltar a importância do diagnóstico precoce.

We relate the association of two distinct cases of neuromesoectodermosis occurred in a family, one manifested as neurofibromatosis type 1 and the other as tuberous sclerosis. The two anomalies at cousins, caused by different genetic mutations and transmitted by autosomal dominant inheritance, suggest a possible relation between them. Also, clinical manifestations are described, their consequences and the diagnostic criteria of both illnesses, emphatizing the importance of the precocious diagnosis.