ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with basilar migraine (BM) and hemiplegic migraine (HM) have been excluded from triptan and DHE clinical trials due to a potential risk of ischemic vascular events, and the FDA mandates that package labeling state that they are contraindicated in BM and HM. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that triptans and DHE can be used for the abortive treatment of BM and HM without significant adverse ischemic vascular events. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with BM features or HM who received acute abortive treatment with either triptans or DHE was conducted at 4 headache centers to assess the frequency of ischemic vascular events after administration. The diagnoses of BM or HM were made by headache specialists based on The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (ICHD-II). Searchable terms included BM, vertigo, dysarthria, diplopia, hemiplegia/hemiparesis, facial droop, weakness, confusion, altered consciousness, confusion, ataxia, and aphasia, as well as all triptans or DHE. RESULTS: The study included 67 patients with BM features and 13 patients with HM. Among those receiving triptans, 40 were in the BM group and 5 were in the HM group. Among those receiving DHE, 27 were included in the BM group and 8 were in the HM group. No side effects of stroke or myocardial infarction were reported. In the triptan group, 5 patients reported adverse effects that included GI upset, rash, neck dystonia, nightmares, and flushing. In the DHE group, 5 patients had adverse events that included chest tightness, dystonic reaction, transient asymptomatic anterior T wave inversion, and agitation. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, triptans and DHE were used with no reported, subsequent acute/subacute ischemic vascular events for the abortive treatment of migraines with basilar and hemiplegic-type features. Although the small sample sizes generated theoretical statistical event rates of 4.5% for BM and 23% for HM, there has been no clear evidence that BM and HM carry an actual elevated risk for vascular events compared with migraine with aura.
ABSTRACT
Paraproteinemic neuropathies comprise a diverse group of disorders that includes monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, primary amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, cryoglobulinemia, POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes) syndrome, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Various factors including hepatitis C virus, vascular endothelial growth factor, and an array of cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions. More recently, a variety of novel antibody specificities, and vasculitis, have also been described as contributory factors in the development of these neuropathies. Therapeutic approaches for paraproteinemic neuropathies have included administration of cytotoxic agents, steroids, interferon-alpha, intravenous immunoglobulin, radiation, bone marrow transplantation, and more recently, drugs such as rituximab and bevacizumab. In this article, we review some of the well-known features of these diseases, and highlight some of the more recent findings from the vast literature for these diseases.
ABSTRACT
The branch of medicine known as osteopathy was founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the mid to late 19th century. Osteopathy is a philosophy of medicine. Osteopathic physicians use techniques collectively referred to as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). One of the most common diseases suffered by those residing in westernized nations is hypertension. Although osteopathic physicians are taught to incorporate OMM into the management of medical disorders, the usefulness of OMM in treating hypertension is less clear. This review reflects on the past 90 years of biomedical literature and attempts to address the utility of OMM used alone, or in combination with other treatments including antihypertensive medication, for the effective management of hypertension. Preliminary evidence may suggest a role for OMM in treating hypertension within the context of a multifaceted and long-lasting treatment regimen that may include traditional pharmacotherapeutics. To have universal acceptance, controlled and blinded outcome studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of OMM for the routine treatment of hypertension.
