Profile of Children with Migraine.

Objective To assess the clinical characteristics of patients with migraine. Methods The medical records of 76 patients diagnosed with migraine were reviewed using the ICHD–II 2004 diagnosis criteria. The patients were classified into three age groups: 3–6 yr olds (group I), 7–12 yr olds (group II), and 13–17 yr olds (group III). Results Migraine was the most common cause of headache in the patients of present pediatric neurology outpatient clinic (57.1%, 76/133). The mean age of patients was 11.08±3.27 (3.25–17) yrs. The number of girls as the age increased (groups II and III). The mean headache attacks rate was 2.5±1.5 per wk, which resulted in worsening of school performance (n=26, 34.2%). In the majority of patients (n= 54, 71.1%), there was a family history of migraine or headache in the close relatives. Prophylaxis was found effective for all given medications (flunarizine: 46/54, propranolol: 19/21, topiramate: 10/10, sodium valproate: 1/1). Conclusions These findings indicate that: (a) migraine is the most frequent cause of headache in pediatric patients, (b) it has negative effects on school performance and daily activities, (c) the family history is important for making the diagnosis and (d) prophylaxis is significantly effective.

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, cerebral vasculopathy and recurrent subdural hematoma.

Mucopolysaccharidoses are characterized by involvement of multiple organs, including blood vessels. We present a case of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB admitted with recurrent subdural hematoma; further evaluation and dural biopsy revealed an association with cerebral vasculopathy.

Cerebral blood flow abnormalities in children with Sydenham's chorea: a SPECT study.

Functional imaging studies in patients with Sydenhams chorea have suggested brain perfusional abnormalities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cerebral perfusion patterns of the cortical/subcortical structures by using Tc-99m hexamethylpropylenamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography in children with Sydenhams chorea, accompanied with magnetic resonance imaging and cranial Doppler studies. Brain MRI and Doppler studies of the all cases were normal. In the brain SPECT study, six patients were determined to have cerebral perfusion abnormalities. Although six patients responded well to the therapy, two girls who had hypoperfusion in the right frontal region as well as hypo- / hyperperfusion in the basal ganglia did not respond to therapy. While the chorea form of the patients who have cerebral perfusional abnormality was generalized, the clinical picture of the patients with normal cerebral perfusion was in the form of hemichorea.