[Lowered incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache following the application of the second edition of the International Headache Society classification]. / Disminución en la incidencia de la cefalea pospunción lumbar tras la aplicación de la segunda edición de la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas.

INTRODUCTION: In 1988 the International Headache Society (IHS) published the 1st edition of its headache classification and the 2nd edition was completed in 2003. AIM. To determine whether there exist changes in the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache depending on the edition of the IHS classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2003 data was gathered prospectively for 78 patients who were submitted to a diagnostic lumbar puncture, 40 obstetric spinal anaesthesias and 516 non-obstetric spinal anaesthesias. The 1st edition was used and, after the appearance of the 2nd edition, the cases were recoded. RESULTS: With the 1st edition, there were 31 out of 78 cases (39.7%) of post-puncture headache in diagnostic punctures, and when the 2nd edition was used, the number dropped to 10 cases (12.8%). The incidence of headache among patients who had undergone obstetric spinal anaesthesia was six cases out of a total of 40 (15%) using the 1st edition, and four cases with the 2nd edition (10%). The incidence of headache among patients after non-obstetric spinal anaesthesia was 80 cases out of a total of 516 (15.5%) when the 1st edition was utilised and 25 cases with the 2nd edition (4.85%). CONCLUSIONS: To compare the incidences of post-lumbar puncture headaches obtained by diverse observers we need to know which edition was used, since there are considerable differences between the results obtained using one edition or the other. The main reason accounting for the discrepancy between the two editions is the compulsory association of some accompanying sign, since this was not a necessary criterion in the 1st edition but it is included in the 2nd.

Disminución en la incidencia de la cefalea pospunción lumbar tras la aplicación de la segunda edición de la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas / Lowered incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache following the application of the second edition of the international headache society

Introducción. La Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas (IHS, International Headache Society) publicó en 1988 la 1.ª edición de la clasificación de las cefaleas. La 2.ª edición se completa en el 2003. Objetivo. Determinar si existen cambios en la incidencia de la cefalea pospunción lumbar según la edición de la IHS. Pacientes y métodos. Prospectivamente se recogieron, entre el 2002 y 2003, 78 pacientes a los que se realizó una punción lumbar diagnóstica, 40 raquianestesias obstétricas y 516 raquianestesias no obstétricas. Se utilizó la 1.ª edición, y tras la aparición de la 2.ª se recodificaron los casos. Resultados. Con la 1.ª edición, la cefalea pospunción en las punciones diagnósticas fueron 31 de 78 casos (39,7%), y cuando se utilizó la 2.ª fueron 10 casos (12,8%). En las pacientes de raquianestesia obstétrica, con la utilización de la 1.ª edición, la incidencia de cefalea fue de seis casos de 40 (15%) y cuatro casos con la 2.ª (10%). De los pacientes con raquianestesia no obstétrica la incidencia de cefalea fue de 80 (15,5%) de 516 casos con la 1.ª edición de la IHS, y 25 casos (4,85%) con la 2.ª. Conclusiones. Se necesita conocer la edición si se quieren comparar incidencias de cefalea pospunción entre observadores, ya que las diferencias son ostensibles entre utilizar una u otra edición. El principal motivo de discrepancia entre las dos ediciones es la asociación obligada de algún signo acompañante, ya que éste no era criterio necesario en la 1.ª edición y sí en la 2.ª

Introduction. In 1988 the International Headache Society (IHS) published the 1st edition of its headache classification and the 2nd edition was completed in 2003. Aim. To determine whether there exist changes in the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache depending on the edition of the IHS classification. Patients and methods. Between 2002 and 2003 data was gathered prospectively for 78 patients who were submitted to a diagnostic lumbar puncture, 40 obstetric spinal anaesthesias and 516 non-obstetric spinal anaesthesias. The 1st edition was used and, after the appearance of the 2nd edition, the cases were recoded. Results. With the 1st edition, there were 31 out of 78 cases (39.7%) of post-puncture headache in diagnostic punctures, and when the 2nd edition was used, the number dropped to 10 cases (12.8%). The incidence of headache among patients who had undergone obstetric spinal anaesthesia was six cases out of a total of 40 (15%) using the 1st edition, and four cases with the 2nd edition (10%). The incidence of headache among patients after non-obstetric spinal anaesthesia was 80 cases out of a total of 516 (15.5%) when the 1st edition was utilised and 25 cases with the 2nd edition (4.85%). Conclusions. To compare the incidences of post-lumbar puncture headaches obtained by diverse observers we need to know which edition was used, since there are considerable differences between the results obtained using one edition or the other. The main reason accounting for the discrepancy between the two editions is the compulsory association of some accompanying sign, since this was not a necessary criterion in the 1st edition but it is included in the 2nd

[Neurological complications in a series of 205 orthotopic heart transplant patients]. / Complicaciones neurológicas en una serie de 205 trasplantes cardíacos ortotópicos.

INTRODUCTION: A heart transplant is the only effective therapeutic option open to many patients with severe heart failure and performing such an intervention is not free of complications. Little is known about the risk factors for neurological complications after a heart transplant. AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for neurological complications following a heart transplant and, more especially, those associated with epileptic seizures, encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and headaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the records of 205 orthotopic heart transplant patients and collected clinical, haemodynamic and laboratory data before, during and after the intervention, using a standardised protocol. RESULTS: 95 patients (48%) presented neurological complications. Their frequencies were as follows: encephalopathy (16.6%), epileptic seizures (13.6%), neuromuscular disorders (10.6%), headaches (10.6%), CVA (10.1%), psychiatric disorders (2.2%) and infection of the central nervous system (2.2%). The risk factors for encephalopathy were post-transplant renal failure (RR: 4.6; CI 95%: 1.4-15), post-transplant hepatic failure (RR: 5.6; CI 95%: 1.5-22) and pre-transplant haemodynamic instability (RR: 4.3; CI 95%: 1.3-14); for epileptic seizures they were a cardiac index of < or = 2 L/min/m2 (RR: 23.8; CI 95%: 2-247) and extracorporeal circulation time > or = 115 min (RR: 11.3; CI 95%: 1-79); and for CVA the risk factor was post-transplant hepatic failure (RR: 12.9; CI 95%: 2.5-66). CONCLUSIONS: Neurological complications often occur after a transplant and are transient. Perioperative haemodynamic instability giving rise to cerebral ischemia and the metabolic disorders secondary to multiple organ failure are determining factors of encephalopathy, epileptic seizures and CVA.

Complicaciones neurológicas en una serie de 205 trasplantes cardíacos ortotópicos / Neurological complications in a series of 205 orthotopic heart transplant patients

Introducción. El trasplante cardíaco es la única opción terapéutica efectiva para muchos pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca grave, pero su realización no está exenta de complicaciones. Los factores de riesgo de complicaciones neurológicas después del trasplante cardíaco se conocen poco. Objetivos. Identificar los factores de riesgo de complicaciones neurológicas tras un trasplante cardíaco, especialmente los asociados con crisis epilépticas, encefalopatía, accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) y cefalea. Pacientes y métodos. Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva las historias clínicas de 205 pacientes con trasplantes cardíacos ortotópicos y se recogieron los datos clínicos, hemodinámicos y de laboratorio, antes, durante y después de la cirugía, según un protocolo estandarizado. Resultados. Hubo 95 pacientes (48 por ciento) que presentaron complicaciones neurológicas. Fueron encefalopatía (16,6 por ciento), crisis epilépticas (13,6 por ciento), alteración neuromuscular (10,6 por ciento), cefalea (10,6 por ciento), ACV (10,1 por ciento), trastornos psiquiátricos (2,2 por ciento) e infección del sistema nervioso central (2,2 por ciento). Los factores de riesgo para la encefalopatía fueron la insuficiencia renal postrasplante (RR: 4,6; IC 95 por ciento: 1,4-15), la insuficiencia hepática postrasplante (RR: 5,6; IC 95 por ciento: 1,5-22) y la inestabilidad hemodinámica pretrasplante (RR: 4,3; IC 95 por ciento: 1,3-14); para las crisis epilépticas fueron índice cardíaco = 115 min (RR: 11,3; IC 95 por ciento: 1-79), y para el ACV fue la insuficiencia hepática postrasplante (RR: 12,9; IC 95 por ciento: 2,5-66). Conclusiones. Las complicaciones neurológicas postrasplante son frecuentes y transitorias. La inestabilidad hemodinámica perioperatoria productora de isquemia cerebral y las alteraciones metabólicas secundarias a fallo multiorgánico son determinantes de encefalopatía, crisis epilépticas y ACV (AU)

Introduction. A heart transplant is the only effective therapeutic option open to many patients with severe heart failure and performing such an intervention is not free of complications. Little is known about the risk factors for neurological complications after a heart transplant. Aims. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for neurological complications following a heart transplant and, more especially, those associated with epileptic seizures, encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and headaches. Patients and methods. We conducted a retrospective review of the records of 205 orthotopic heart transplant patients and collected clinical, haemodynamic and laboratory data before, during and after the intervention, using a standardised protocol. Results. 95 patients (48%) presented neurological complications. Their frequencies were as follows: encephalopathy (16.6%), epileptic seizures (13.6%), neuromuscular disorders (10.6%), headaches (10.6%), CVA (10.1%), psychiatric disorders (2.2%) and infection of the central nervous system (2.2%). The risk factors for encephalopathy were post-transplant renal failure (RR: 4.6; CI 95%: 1.4-15), post-transplant hepatic failure (RR: 5.6; CI 95%: 1.5-22) and pre-transplant haemodynamic instability (RR: 4.3; CI 95%: 1.3-14); for epileptic seizures they were a cardiac index of ≤ 2 L/min/m2 (RR: 23.8; CI 95%: 2-247) and extracorporeal circulation time ≥ 115 min (RR: 11.3; CI 95%: 1-79); and for CVA the risk factor was post-transplant hepatic failure (RR: 12.9; CI 95%: 2.5-66). Conclusions. Neurological complications often occur after a transplant and are transient. Perioperative haemodynamic instability giving rise to cerebral ischemia and the metabolic disorders secondary to multiple organ failure are determining factors of encephalopathy, epileptic seizures and CVA (AU)

[Present and future of neurology in Spain]. / Presente y futuro de la neurología española.

This is a document prepared by the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), which was given to the President of Spain (Mr. José María Aznar) last September with the main aim of examining the current situation of Neurology in our country. It analyses the present and future of Neurology in clinical assistance, teaching and research. To prepare this document the criteria of patients' associations has been considered, including the Declaration of Madrid which has been subscribed by thirty of these associations. In spite of its relevant development in the previous decades, the current situation of Neurology in Spain is far from the ideal. To reach the recommendable menber of 3 or 4 neurologists per 100,000 inhabitants it is necessary to duplicate the present number of neurologists which has been estimated around 2/100,000; this situation is especially urgent in some Autonomous Communities. The most important problems in neurological assistance are: inadequate follow-up of the chronic outpatients, low numbers of neurological beds and of duties of Neurology, as well as of neurological case of patients with urgent neurological disorders. It is also necessary to increase the number of professors of Neurology to adequately cover pregraduate teaching; again there are important differences in teaching positions among Autonomous Communities. Neurology residence should be prolonged from 4 to 5 years. Finally, it is necessary to support the appearance of superespecialised units and to promote a coordinated research with other close specialities including basic neuroscience.

[Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis as a form of presentation of anorectal melanoma]. / Carcinomatosis leptomeníngea como forma de presentación de un melanoma anorrectal.

We report a case of anorectal melanoma, whose first manifestation was a carcinomatous meningitis. The anorectal melanoma is a rare tumor of great malignity which represents 1-3 per cent of melanomas and 0.5 per cent of anorectal tumors. The most frequent symptoms are non-specific: rectal bleeding, pain at defecation, changes in the intestinal rythm. Sixty per cent of cases presented metastasis at the moment of diagnosis limited to the regional lymph nodes. In none of the cases published did the metastasis present as the first symptom. The case presented here manifested itself only with neurologic symptomatology compatible with carcinomatous meningitis whose finding led to the search of the original tumor, and this is what makes this case exceptional since the infrequency of this tumor is united to an unusual clinical presentation, not previously described in the literature.

[Physiological variations of auditory brain-stem evoked potentials]. / Variaciones fisiológicas de los potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco cerebral.

From the beginning brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) has become a technique more and more useful in the daily clinic. In order to know the influence that over BERA have the stimulation parameters, record and individuals variables of each patient, we have developed a study over 50 healthy persons of both sex, with standard technical conditions of the studied different parameters. We agree with other authors in the mean latency values and waves amplitudes, except from the polarity in which our findings are different from those of the literature.