ABSTRACT
Creatine kinase (CK) is the single most important biochemical test in the evaluation of patients with myopathies. In health, serum CK concentration is higher in men, blacks, muscular individuals, and athletes. Idiopathic hyperCKemia is an entity restricted to asymptomatic patients with a negative family history for a neuromuscular disease acid normal neurological, electrodiagnostic. and histologic examinations. Serum CK concentration in myopathy correlates with seventy of illness, course of disease, available muscle mass, and myofiber necrosis. CK may be elevated in neurogenic disorders, particularly in Kennedy's disease and type III spinal muscular atrophy.
ABSTRACT
We evaluated the effect of flunarizine (Fz) (10 mg/d) on migraine in a double-blind placebo-controlled design. The attacks' frequency, duration, severity and associated symptoms were compared before and after treatment. Forty-two patients completed a three-month trial period; 21 patients received Fz and 21 placebo. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between Fz and placebo (p > 0.05). In this study Fz was not more efficient than placebo in migraine.
Subject(s)
Flunarizine/therapeutic use , Migraine Disorders/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Migraine Disorders/complications , Migraine Disorders/physiopathology , Placebos , Time FactorsABSTRACT
We describe 6 patients with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and normal or exaggerated deep tendon reflexes. All had been preceded by a febrile illness and had a full recovery without sequelae. The brainstem auditory evoked potentials showed a localised lesion in the upper brainstem while the pattern shift visual evoked potentials were normal and did not show any additional silent lesions. CSF IgG oligoclonal bands were not detected in any of the patients. MRI in 2 patients showed a confluent high intensity lesion in the upper mesencephalon and thalamus involving white and gray matter. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months and showed no relapse.
Subject(s)
Ataxia/complications , Brain Stem/physiopathology , Encephalitis/physiopathology , Ophthalmoplegia/complications , Adult , Ataxia/physiopathology , Encephalitis/complications , Encephalitis/diagnosis , Evoked Potentials, Auditory , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Ophthalmoplegia/physiopathology , PrognosisABSTRACT
In Saudi Arabia, a native patient with no known risk factors for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed both clinical and laboratory evidence of AIDS 2 years after receiving transfusion of 11 units of blood obtained from a commercial distributor in the United States. This case suggests that a history of transfusions of blood components imported from areas where AIDS is prevalent should be elicited from patients in the Middle East with symptoms and physical findings suggesting AIDS.
