The effect of serum levetiracetam concentrations on therapeutic response and IL1-beta concentration in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the relevance between serum drug concentration to its therapeutic response is a valid monitoring strategy for the clinical efficacy of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Levetiracetam (LEV) is a broad spectrum AED with a possible anti-inflammatory effect. We aimed to determine the relationship between LEV concentrations and its therapeutic response, and the effect of LEV on IL1-beta concentrations in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Patients on monotherapy (n = 7) or polytherapy (n = 15) with LEV for their seizures management were included. Blood samples of each patient were collected: just before LEV intake, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h following the last dose. Serum LEV concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and IL1-beta concentrations by chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Concentration to dose (C/D) ratio values was used for analyses. LEV concentrations were compared between responders (≤1 seizure/month) and non-responders (>1 seizure/month) and patients with or without adverse reactions. IL1-beta concentrations before and at 2 h following LEV ingestion were compared in order to detect the effect of the increase in serum LEV concentration on IL1-beta. RESULTS: Although there was no change in LEV (C/D) ratio or LEV maximum concentration (Cmax)/D ratio of the responders and non-responders, the C/D ratio following 1 h of LEV intake (2.17 ± 0.59 kg.day/L) and Cmax/D ratio (2.25 ± 0.56 kg.day/L) in the patients with adverse effects was significantly higher than for the patients without adverse effects (1.09 ± 0.12 kg.day/L and 1.49 ± 0.14 kg.day/L respectively). A statistically significant decrease was found in the IL1-beta concentration to LEV (C/D) ratio with the increase in LEV concentration in patients on LEV monotherapy. CONCLUSION: The possible relationship between LEV Cmax and its therapeutic response or IL1-beta concentrations may be an importance indication of LEV antiepileptic efficacy. Consequently, monitoring LEV Cmax values may enhance LEV adherence because patients would be less likely to develop adverse effects.

Splinting is effective for night-only symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

[Purpose] Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve. Splinting is one of the most used conservative treatment methods for carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome patients who were divided into two groups according to their level of symptoms. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 40 carpal tunnel syndrome patients were divided into 2 groups based on having symptoms only at night or during the day were included in this study. These two groups were compared at the end of a 3-months splinting therapy in terms of improvement of severity of symptoms, functional capacity, pain level, and electrophysiological findings. [Results] Pain levels of both groups were similar at baseline. After splinting, pain levels of night-only symptomatic patients were lower than those of sustained symptomatic ones. No differences were found in symptom severity, functional capacity, and the electrophysiological findings in either group after the splinting. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that splinting alone may be sufficient to decrease the pain for night-only symptomatic patients. Combined therapy methods may be needed for sustained symptomatic patients.

Flow diverter as a rescue therapy for a complicated basilar angioplasty.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Stenting and aggressive medical management for preventing recurrent stroke in intracranial stenosis was terminated prematurely due to a high stroke and death rate in patients randomized for intracranial stent placement. However, for some patients, angioplasty and/or stent placement remains the best approach. Flow diverters (FDs) are designed to produce a hemodynamic flow diversion by constituting a laminar flow pattern in the parent artery and are mainly used in non-ruptured complex wide-neck aneurysms as well as in ruptured aneurysms. Herein, we present a case where an FD was used in a complicated angioplasty for basilar artery atherosclerosis. A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with left side weakness and vertigo. Her diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography showed right-sided pontine and left-sided occipital acute infarcts with left-sided pontine and right-sided occipital chronic infarcted areas and preocclusive mid-basilar stenosis. The patient was under supervised medical treatment. Despite chronic brain stem and occipital infarcts her modified Rankin Scale was 2. Diagnostic angiography showed no posterior communicating arteries and no pial-pial collaterals and a critical mid-basilar artery stenosis. We decided to perform intracranial angioplasty to increase the perfusion of posterior circulation and reduce the risk of additional embolic infarcts. Angioplasty was complicated with dissection and vessel perforation. We used an FD for rescue therapy to avoid rebleeding. The patient was discharged with good clinical and angiographic results.

Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in diabetic patients with neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to evaluate the role of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in patients with diabetic neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 58 diabetic patients and 26 healthy volunteers were included. In both groups ADMA measurements were performed together with other biochemical examinations. Nerve conduction studies and Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) were administered to the diabetic patients. RESULTS: ADMA levels were found significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to the control group (p = 0.0001). However, ADMA levels were not statistically significant between diabetic patients with neuropathy and without neuropathy (p = 0.86 and p = 0.47). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that there is not any significant relationship between ADMA and diabetic neuropathy.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in an airline pilot.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common types of peripheral vertigo, characterized by violent whirling vertigo after a positional change. Although the condition is termed "benign," the clinical presentation can be incapacitating for pilots in certain maneuvers. We present a case of an airline transport pilot with the complaint of vertigo for 5 d. The vertigo was aggravated by head movements when looking up or rolling over, lasting for a few seconds. The patient was diagnosed with BPPV, and he was treated with physical therapy with the use of Epley maneuver. The airman applied for his First-Class medical examination after the treatment was successfully completed. The aviation medical examiner (AME) issued the airman medical certificate after contacting and receiving verbal approval from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD). While evaluating aviators who have had BPPV, AMEs should not issue medical certificates for any class until the condition is fully resolved. Although the AME Guide states that certification of pilots with other types of vertigo requires an FAA decision, once the patient is successfully treated and free of symptoms, approval for issuing the medical certificate can be obtained through contacting AMCD and by submitting all information and documentation pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment.