[Clinical and radiological features of cerebral venous thrombosis in a children cohort]. / Características clínicas y radiológicas de una cohorte de niños con trombosis venosa intracraneal.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon and poorly studied condition in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the clinical and radiological features of non-neonatal children with CVT according to age and to analyze their association with functional impairment or mortality at hospital discharge. METHODOLOGY: An observational cohort study of chil dren older than 30 days with a first CVT diagnosed with imaging/venography by magnetic resonance (IMR/VMR). We measure functionality with the modified Rankin scale defining marked impairment with 3 to 5 points. We used U-Mann-Whitney test to compare ages averages between groups with and without the different studied variables (significance < 0.05). We used logistic regression analyses to estimate the risk of adverse outcome for each variable expressed in Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 21 patients recruited, 42.8% were girls, median age 6.27 years (Interquartile range: 0.74-10). The average age was lower in children with diagnostic delay > 48 hours (p = 0.041), score < 12 in the Glasgow coma scale (p = 0.013), seizures (p = 0.041), sinus rectus thrombosis (p = 0.011), and intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.049); while it was significantly higher in children with intracranial hypertension syndrome (p = 0.008). The presence of some chro nic systemic condition (OR = 11.2; CI = 1.04-120.4), deep CVT (OR = 14; CI = 1.3-150.8), and brain ischemia (OR = 15.8; CI = 1.4-174.2) was associated with marked functional impairment or mor tality at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and radiological features of CVT are age-related. Chronic illnesses, deep venous system involvement, and brain ischemia predict adverse short-term outcomes.

Características clínicas y radiológicas de una cohorte de niños con trombosis venosa intracraneal / Clinical and radiological features of cerebral venous thrombosis in a children cohort

Resumen: Introducción: La trombosis venosa intracraneal (TVI) es una condición infrecuente y poco estudiada en población pediátrica. Objetivos: Describir y comparar características clínicas/radiológicas de ni ños no neonatos con TVI según edad y analizar la asociación de estas variables con deterioro funcio nal al alta o mortalidad aguda. Metodología: Estudio observacional de una cohorte de niños > 30 días con una primera TVI diagnosticada con imágenes/venografía por resonancia magnética encefálica. Medimos funcionalidad con la escala modificada de Rankin definiendo compromiso funcional mar cado con 3 a 5 puntos. Comparamos los promedios de edades entre grupos con y sin las diferentes variables estudiadas con la prueba U-Mann-Whitney (significancia < 0,05). Realizamos análisis de regresión logística para estimar el riesgo de resultado adverso de cada variable expresado en Odds Ra tios (ORs) e intervalos de confianza (IC) al 95%. Resultados: De 21 pacientes, 42.8% eran niñas, me diana de edad 6,27 años (rango intercuartil: 0,74-10). El promedio de edad fue menor en niños con retardo diagnóstico > 48 h (p = 0,041), puntaje < 12 en la escala coma de Glasgow (p = 0,013), crisis epilépticas (p = 0,041), trombosis de seno recto (p = 0,011) y hemorragia intracraneal (p = 0,049); mientras que fue mayor en niños con síndrome de hipertensión endocraneal (p = 0,008). La presen cia de alguna condición crónica sistémica (OR = 11,2; IC = 1,04-120,4), TVI profunda (OR = 14; IC = 1,3-150,8) e infarto encefálico (OR = 15,8; IC = 1,4-174,2) se asoció a compromiso funcional marcado o mortalidad al alta. Conclusiones: Las características clínicas/radiológicas de la TVI varían según la edad. Las patologías crónicas, compromiso del sistema venoso profundo e infarto encefálico predicen mal pronóstico a corto plazo.

Abstract: Introduction: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon and poorly studied condition in the pediatric population. Objectives: To describe and compare the clinical and radiological features of non-neonatal children with CVT according to age and to analyze their association with functional impairment or mortality at hospital discharge. Methodology: An observational cohort study of chil dren older than 30 days with a first CVT diagnosed with imaging/venography by magnetic resonance (IMR/VMR). We measure functionality with the modified Rankin scale defining marked impairment with 3 to 5 points. We used U-Mann-Whitney test to compare ages averages between groups with and without the different studied variables (significance < 0.05). We used logistic regression analyses to estimate the risk of adverse outcome for each variable expressed in Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among 21 patients recruited, 42.8% were girls, median age 6.27 years (Interquartile range: 0.74-10). The average age was lower in children with diagnostic delay > 48 hours (p = 0.041), score < 12 in the Glasgow coma scale (p = 0.013), seizures (p = 0.041), sinus rectus thrombosis (p = 0.011), and intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.049); while it was significantly higher in children with intracranial hypertension syndrome (p = 0.008). The presence of some chro nic systemic condition (OR = 11.2; CI = 1.04-120.4), deep CVT (OR = 14; CI = 1.3-150.8), and brain ischemia (OR = 15.8; CI = 1.4-174.2) was associated with marked functional impairment or mor tality at discharge. Conclusions: Clinical and radiological features of CVT are age-related. Chronic illnesses, deep venous system involvement, and brain ischemia predict adverse short-term outcomes.

[Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: profile of a cohort according to the 2015 diagnostic criteria]. / Espectro de neuromielitis optica: descripcion de una cohorte segun los criterios diagnosticos de 2015.

INTRODUCTION: The new 2015 criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) have been recently incorporated in the study of different international cohorts. AIM: To describe clinical-radiological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with NMOSD according to the 2015 criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 36 patients diagnosed with NMOSD according to serologic AQP4 status (positive, negative, unknown and negative + unknown). Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared and possible disability prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: AQP4 were positive in 7 patients, negative in 12 and unknown in 17. Age of presentation was 36.6 ± 16 years, with higher female proportion (4:1). Mean disease duration was 7.4 ± 7.6 years. Most frequent presenting symptoms were acute myelitis (61%), optic neuritis (33%) and area postrema syndrome (11%). Most frequent MRI lesion was longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (75%). All patients received acute treatment during attacks, and preventive treatment was used in 81% (azathioprine and rituximab mostly prescribed). Median EDSS was 2.0 at the end of follow-up. No differences were observed in any of the variables comparing serologic status. Age of first attack was prognostic, with direct correlation with EDSS. First attack in < 30 years was protective, meanwhile > 50 years old patients had increased risk of disability. CONCLUSIONS: The 2015 criteria allow the description and classification of NMOSD patients within different cohorts. Age of first attack seems to be a prognostic factor for developing disability.

TITLE: Espectro de neuromielitis optica: descripcion de una cohorte segun los criterios diagnosticos de 2015.Introduccion. Los nuevos criterios diagnosticos de 2015 del espectro de neuromielitis optica (NMO) estan comenzando a utilizarse en diferentes poblaciones en el mundo. Objetivo. Describir las caracteristicas clinicorradiologicas y pronosticas de pacientes diagnosticados de NMO con los criterios de 2015. Pacientes y metodos. Analizamos retrospectivamente 36 pacientes diagnosticados de NMO con los actuales criterios. Se generaron cuatro grupos segun la serologia de antiacuaporina 4 (positivos, negativos, desconocidos y negativos mas desconocidos agrupados). Se compararon sus caracteristicas clinicorradiologicas y se evaluaron posibles variables pronosticas de discapacidad. Resultados. Encontramos siete pacientes seropositivos, 12 negativos y 17 desconocidos. La edad de inicio fue de 36 ± 16 años, con mayor proporcion de mujeres (4 a 1). La duracion de la enfermedad fue de 7,4 ± 7,6 años. Los sintomas iniciales mas frecuentes fueron mielitis (61%), neuritis optica (33%) y sindrome del area postrema (11%). La lesion mas frecuente en la resonancia magnetica fue la mielitis longitudinalmente extensa (75%). Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento agudo, y el preventivo se utilizo en el 81%; la azatioprina y el rituximab fueron los que mas se usaron. La mediana de la Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) fue de 2 al final del seguimiento. No hubo diferencias significativas en las variables clinicorradiologicas entre los distintos grupos de pacientes. La edad de inicio fue pronostica y presenta correlacion directa con la EDSS. El inicio antes de los 30 años fue protector y, despues de los 50 años, un factor de riesgo para mayor discapacidad. Conclusiones. Los actuales criterios permiten describir diferentes cohortes. La edad de inicio parece ser un factor pronostico para desarrollar discapacidad.

[Acute Cerebrovascular events associated to hemolytic uremic syndrome: Description of two pediatric cases]. / Compromiso cerebrovascular agudo en síndrome hemolítico urémico: descripción de dos casos pediátricos.

Diarrhea-associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (D+HUS) is a multisystem disorder in which neurological involvement (35 to 50%) is associated to adverse outcome. An important cause of a permanent neurological impairment is the cerebrovascular pathology. OBJECTIVE: To report two pediatric cases of D+HUS with severe neurological involvement due to cerebrovascular disease, and review available literature. CLINICAL CASES: Two previously healthy 15- and 21-month-old children debuted with seizures and impairment of consciousness within the first week of a D+HUS. Both presented hypertension, severe acute renal failure, and focal motor deficit. One child showed significant improvement in neurologic status after five sessions of plasmapheresis. Brain magnetic resonance showed in the first child multiple bilateral infarcts of small vessels and lesions of white matter. In the second patient, large bilateral infarcts on both middle cerebral arteries territories were identified. One year after the acute event, both children showed functional impairment; The first patient evolved with language delay and spastic hemiparesis; the second patient with spastic quadriparesis, epilepsy with poor seizure control and marked functional impairment. CONCLUSION: Although most of the children with D+HUS and brain involvement do not have long-term sequelae, cerebrovascular disease in the acute period causes permanent damage, and in addition to the management of electrolyte disturbances, hypertension, and renal failure, therapies directed at specific pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger vascular compromise may improve prognosis.

Compromiso cerebrovascular agudo en síndrome hemolítico urémico: descripción de dos casos pediátricos / Acute cerebrovascular events associated to hemolytic uremic syndrome: description of two pediatric cases

El Síndrome Hemolítico Urémico asociado a diarrea (SHU+D) es un desorden multisistémico en el cual el compromiso neurológico se asocia a empeoramiento del pronóstico. Una causa importante de daño neurológico permanente es el compromiso cerebrovascular. OBJETIVO: Reportar dos casos pediátricos de SHU+D con compromiso neurológico severo debido a patología cerebrovascular y revisar la literatura disponible. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Dos niños de 15 y 21 meses, previamente sanos, debutaron con convulsiones y compromiso de conciencia dentro de la primera semana de un SHU+D. Ambos presentaron hipertensión, falla renal aguda severa y déficit motor focal. Un niño mejoró significativamente su estado neurológico después de cinco sesiones de plasmaféresis. La resonancia magnética encefálica, mostró en el primer niño infartos bilaterales múltiples de vasos pequeños y lesiones de sustancia blanca. En el segundo paciente se identificaron extensos infartos bilaterales en territorios de ambas arterias cerebrales medias. Al año del evento agudo, ambos niños con déficit funcional marcado; el primer paciente evolucionó con retraso del desarrollo del lenguaje y hemiparesia espástica; el segundo persistió con cuadriparesia espástica, epilepsia con mal control de crisis y marcado deterioro funcional. CONCLUSIÓN: Aunque la mayoría de los niños con SHU+D y compromiso cerebral no presentan secuelas a largo plazo, la patología cerebrovascular en el período agudo puede causar daño permanente, por lo que, además del manejo de las alteraciones hidroelectrolíticas, hipertensión y falla renal, las terapias dirigidas a mecanismos fisiopatológicos específicos desencadenantes del compromiso vascular podrían mejorar el pronóstico.

Diarrhea-associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (D+HUS) is a multisystem disorder in which neurological involvement (35 to 50%) is associated to adverse outcome. An important cause of a permanent neurological impairment is the cerebrovascular pathology. OBJECTIVE: To report two pediatric cases of D+HUS with severe neurological involvement due to cerebrovascular disease, and review available literature. CLINICAL CASES: Two previously healthy 15- and 21-month-old children debuted with seizures and impairment of consciousness within the first week of a D+HUS. Both presented hypertension, severe acute renal failure, and focal motor deficit. One child showed significant improvement in neurologic status after five sessions of plasmapheresis. Brain magnetic resonance showed in the first child multiple bilateral infarcts of small vessels and lesions of white matter. In the second patient, large bilateral infarcts on both middle cerebral arteries territories were identified. One year after the acute event, both children showed functional impairment; The first patient evolved with language delay and spastic hemiparesis; the second patient with spastic quadriparesis, epilepsy with poor seizure control and marked functional impairment. CONCLUSION: Although most of the children with D+HUS and brain involvement do not have long-term sequelae, cerebrovascular disease in the acute period causes permanent damage, and in addition to the management of electrolyte disturbances, hypertension, and renal failure, therapies directed at specific pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger vascular compromise may improve prognosis.

Imaging artifacts in MRI simulators.

Artifactual images are created in the process of imaging. They are images that distort reality, i.e. they do not correspond to the image but they arise from them and are false. This paper describes image artifacts in MR that can lead to misdiagnosis, analyzes their causes and reviews the most common imaging artifacts.

Image fusion in neuroradiology: three clinical examples including MRI of Parkinson disease.

Image data fusion has been developed over the last decade as an important additional visual diagnostic tool to integrate the growing amount of imaging data obtained from different medical imaging modalities. The overwhelming amount of digital information calls for data consolidation to improve clinical treatment strategies based upon anatomical and physiological imaging. Three different low level image data fusion techniques are described and their characteristics are illustrated with some rare yet key examples. We used MR images to show neurodegeneration in the cerebral peduncle of the midbrain and found that image data fusion using colors can be a valuable tool to visually assess and quantify the loss of neural cells in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta in Parkinson's disease.

Massive pulmonary embolism: treatment with the hydrolyser thrombectomy catheter.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of clot removal with use of the Hydrolyser thrombectomy catheter in acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (eight women, three men) with a mean age of 61 (range, 37-79) years with acute massive PE underwent percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) with use of the Hydrolyser. In four patients with no contraindication, fibrinolysis was performed with use of urokinase at low doses after thrombectomy. RESULTS: Ten patients (90.91%) recovered from massive PE and were discharged within 11 days. The Urokinase Pulmonary Embolism Trial angiographic severity indexes (mean +/- SD) were 14.7 +/- 2.6 and 7.5 +/- 2.7, respectively, before and after thrombectomy (P < .001). Partial arterial pressures of O2 increased from 72.8 mm Hg +/- 16.4 to 93.5 mm Hg +/- 5.6 (P < .005). Pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 45.5 mm Hg +/- 14.2 to 29.5 mm Hg +/- 13.6 after thrombectomy (P < .0001). Calculated by semiquantitative computed analysis, PMT with use of the Hydrolyser removed 74.06% of thrombus +/- 13.46%. One patient developed self-limited hemoptysis immediately after thrombectomy. One patient died during the procedure secondary to PE. CONCLUSION: PMT with use of the Hydrolyser is effective and safe in massive PE, resulting in improved hemodynamics and blood oxygenation and decreased pulmonary artery pressure. It offers an alternative to fibrinolysis and surgical thrombectomy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy surgery with limited resources: results and economic considerations.

This study evaluates the surgical outcome of patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who underwent anterior temporal lobe lobectomy (ATL) based on data derived from noninvasive studies and assesses the economic costs entailed at a newly created epilepsy program in Chile. Seventeen ATL candidates underwent a presurgical evaluation. This included outpatient brain MRI and neuropsychological testing and inpatient scalp/sphenoidal prolonged video-EEG monitoring. There were 10 females and 7 males, with a mean age of 23.8 years and a mean duration of seizure disorder of 12 years. Patients with congruent data localizing the seizure focus to one anterotemporal region underwent ATL. Seven patients underwent a left-side ATL and 10 patients a right-side ATL. The histopathological findings showed a low grade tumor in six patients, hippocampal sclerosis in five, neuronal migration disorder in four, and cavernous angiomas in two patients. The mean follow-up period was 29.1 months. Seizure outcome was assessed with Engel's classification: class I, no seizures or only auras; class II, rare seizures; class III, >90% seizure reduction; class IV, <90% seizure reduction. Fifteen patients are now in class I, one patient in class II, and one in class IV. The total cost, including evaluation and surgery, was equivalent to US$ 5,020. Thus, well-selected TLE patients can derive maximal benefit from ATL after a noninvasive presurgical evaluation. This finding is of great significance for the creation of epilepsy surgery programs in developing countries.

[Cardiac rhythm and systemic embolism in long-term follow up of patients with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Ritmo cardíaco y embolias sistémicas en la evolución alejada de pacientes con fibrilación auricular paroxística no valvular.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may predispose to systemic embolism. There is little information about the evolution of cardiac rhythm and the occurrence of new embolic events in these patients. AIM: To report the results of a long term follow up of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients consulting for non valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were followed for a mean period of 5 years. An EKG, 2D echocardiogram and brain CT scans were performed on admission and at the end of the follow up period to all patients. RESULTS: Sixty eight patients aged 65 +/- 1.5 years were studied. Thirty two had an idiopathic atrial fibrillation, 28 had a history of mild hypertension and 8 had a history of coronary artery disease. Evidence of systemic emboli was found in 17 patients at entry (to the brain in 14 patients). During the follow up 87% of patients required antiarrhythmics, 27% were anticoagulated and 28% received aspirin. Five patients had new embolic episodes. Of these, four had a history of prior embolism. Forty one percent of patients continued in sinus rhythm and remained asymptomatic, 32% had at least one recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and nine patients evolved to chronic atrial fibrillation. Five patients required a permanent pacemaker due to symptomatic bradycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with non valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation remain in sinus rhythm but one third have recurrences of the arrhythmia. A main risk factor for embolism is the history of previous embolic episodes.

Mechanical fragmentation and pharmacologic thrombolysis in massive pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of mechanical fragmentation associated with intrapulmonary thrombolysis in acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen cases of massive PE treated with mechanical fragmentation associated with pharmacologic thrombolysis were retrospectively studied. Severity of PE was assessed with the angiographic index according to the Urokinase Pulmonary Embolism Trial (maximum value of 18; score according to whether obstruction was central or peripheral, complete or partial). Mechanical fragmentation of the emboli was performed with angiographic catheters and angioplasty balloons. Urokinase was infused directly into the thrombus during the course of 8-24 hours. The effect of therapy was measured with direct pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and blood O2 values. RESULTS: Pre- and postinfusion angiographic index mean values (+/- standard deviation) were 13.7 +/- 1.4 and 6.1 +/- 2.2 (P < .0001). Mean pre- and postinfusion PAPs were 48.2 +/- 13.4 and 18.5 +/- 7.2 mm Hg (P < .0001). PaO2 increased from 60.1 +/- 12.1 to 88.7 +/- 23.4 mm Hg (P = .01). Fourteen patients (87.5%) completely recovered. One patient died during treatment despite improvement in PAP and PaO2 parameters. There were no major hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the efficacy of mechanical fragmentation associated with pharmacologic thrombolysis in the treatment of acute massive PE, resulting in improved hemodynamics and-blood oxygenation and in decreased PAP, with low morbidity.

[Multidisciplinary study of cerebrovascular disorders. II. Cardiovascular profile of occlusive vascular disorders]. / Estudio multidisciplinario de los accidentes vasculares encefálicos. II--Perfil cardiovascular de los accidentes vasculares oclusivos.

Ischemic stroke constitute a mayor cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult population, particularly in the elderly. Heart disease may predispose to ischemic stroke, especially in the presence of transient or permanent precipitating factors such as atrial fibrillation. To elucidate the role of heart disease in predisposing to ischemic stroke we studied the clinical and non invasive cardiac profile (EKG, 2D-Echo, Holter) of 186 consecutive patients, 91 of them embolic (GI) and 96 non embolic (lacunar, atherothrombotic, others) (GII), as determined by brain CT scan and thorough clinical evaluation. Age and male/female ratio were significantly different (71 + 13 vs 65 + 12 years, 40/60 vs 65/35, p < 0.003). Hypertension was equally common in both groups (38 and 40%). Patients in GI had higher prevalence of valvular heart disease (23 vs 1%), atrial fibrillation (67 vs 10%), 2D Echo left atrial enlargement (45 vs 16%) and supraventricular ectopy in Holter (59 vs 32%) p < 0,001. By contrast absence of heart disease (45 vs 19%), ST-T changes in EKG (28 vs 14%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 2D Echo (28 vs 9%) and ventricular ectopy in Holter (54 vs 23%) were more prevalent in GII patients, p < 0.001. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed age > 70 years (relative risk (RR) 1.67), valvular heart disease (RR 2.25), chronic AF (RR 2.44) and paroxysmal AF (RR 1.89) were significant independent predictors of embolic stroke, whereas the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in 2D-Echo (RR 0.76) and frequent ventricular premature beats in Holter (RR 0.47) were predictors of occlusive non embolic stroke. Thus, the clinical and non invasive cardiac profile of embolic and non embolic ischemic stroke is significantly different, which is relevant to preventive strategies.

[Multidisciplinary study of cerebrovascular accidents: I. Definition, design, and general results]. / Estudio multidisciplinario del accidente vascular encefálico: I.- Definición, diseño y resultados generales.

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) constitute a major cause of adult cardiac cardiovascular mortality in Chile. From July 87 to August 89 we prospectively studied 300 patients with CVA utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Besides clinical evaluation this included brain CT scan (48 hrs), glucidic and lipid profile. Occlusive CVA were additionally studied with 2D-Echocardiogram, 24 hr Holter, Cerebral Angiography and/or carotid Duplex Echotomograph, and a second brain CT scan was performed within the first week. We found a 62.3% incidence of cerebral infarcts, 28.3% of cerebral hemorrhages and 9.3% of transient ischemic attacks. Cerebral infarcts were found to be cardiac related in 33.5% of cases, whereas 13.2% were lacunar, 4.4% were atherothrombotic and 14% had no precise etiology. Hypertension was associated to cerebral hemorrhages in 76% of cases, 26% of which were intracranial. At 2 months of follow-up 16.3% of patients were severely handicapped and mortality was 19.3%. We have confirmed that cerebral infarcts constitute the most common cause of CVA and most of them are cardiac related. Hypertension appears to be the most important cause of cerebral hemorrhage. A multidisciplinary approach to cerebrovascular accidents allowed a more precise diagnosis and contributed to implement appropriate therapeutic and preventive strategies. Proper identification of high risk patients could contribute to decrease the high incidence and mortality of CVA in our community.

[Foramen ovale electrodes in the study of temporal lobe epilepsy]. / Electrodos de foramen oval en la investigación de las epilepsias del lóbulo temporal.

Corticograms of the mesial structures of the temporal lobe may be obtained with the recently developed foramen ovale electrodes. Since their installation is easy and of low risk, they will probably displace other invasive techniques routinely used up to the moment for the localization and lateralization of epileptic foci originated in the temporal lobe. For the first time in our country, we have used this technique in 7 patients with medically intractable complex partial epilepsy. In all the patients, the study allowed to clear doubts about the laterality of the start of ictal activity and to define irritative foci not found with conventional continuous superficial electroencephalographic recordings. The procedure was uneventful and the implanted electrodes were optimally tolerated. Foramen ovale electrodes are an effective diagnostic method for temporal lobe epilepsies and their features are specially appropriate for our milieu.

Risk factors for systemic embolism in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The purpose of this study was to define the risk factors for systemic embolism in patients with recently diagnosed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We therefore studied 63 consecutive patients with symptomatic nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and performed a clinical and noninvasive cardiac, peripheral vascular, and neurologic evaluation that included two-dimensional echocardiography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and computed tomographic brain scan. Patients with predisposing clinical conditions for systemic embolism (valvular heart or coronary artery disease) or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (sick sinus disease, preexcitation, or thyroid dysfunction) were excluded. At entry 34 patients had idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 29 had hypertension. Fourteen patients had a recent systemic embolic complication: nine had a recent occlusive nonlacunar cerebrovascular accident, two had transient ischemic attacks, and three had peripheral systemic emboli that required surgery. In addition, five patients had evidence of old cerebrovascular accident on the computed tomographic scan (group 1). Forty-four patients had no systemic embolism (group 2). Results of univariate analysis showed that patients in group 1 were older (72 +/- 9 vs 63 +/- 13 years, p less than 0.05), had a higher incidence of hypertension (70% vs 35%, p less than 0.01), and had an increased left atrial diameter (4.1 +/- 0.7 vs 3.6 +/- 0.5 cm, p less than 0.05). Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a history of hypertension and left atrial enlargement on two-dimensional echocardiography were significant independent risk factors for systemic embolism in patients with symptomatic nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

[Bromocriptine for macroprolactinomas. Discussion of 3 cases treated successfully]. / Bromocriptina en macroprolactinomas. Discusion de 3 casos tratados exitosamente.

Bromocriptine was used to treat 3 patients with prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. Diagnosis was based on the presence of a sellar tumor over 1 cm in size at CT scanning and a serum prolactin concentration above 150 ng/ml. All patients were symptomatic from pituitary hypofunction or from tumor compression of neighboring areas. Bromocriptine was given at increasing doses up to 10 mg/day. Prolactin reached normal levels 1 to 7 months later, tumor reduction was confirmed by high resolution scanning. The mechanism of bromocriptine effect on these tumors is discussed.

[Ultrasonography in spinal dysraphism and tethered cord]. / Ultrasonografía en la disrafia espinal y la médula anclada.

Spinal dysraphism is relatively common in children and includes a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies in the normal closure of the posterior elements of the spine. The prognosis will depend mostly on early diagnosis and treatment. Occult spinal dysraphism may present without external anomalies and the diagnosis could be suspected lately, when neurological symptoms are present and often irreversible. Occult spinal dysraphism is frequently associated to a tethered cord, most commonly secondary to the presence of a lipoma. Ultrasonography has been proven highly sensitive in the detection of intraspinal anomalies, especially in the diagnosis of tethered cord, in children under two years of age due to lack of ossification of the posterior elements of the spine. Today ultrasonography should be the examination of choice in all those patients in whom some kind of spinal dysraphism is suspected. We report our experience with three infants with occult spinal dysraphism in whom diagnosis was initially made by US and later on proved by either computed tomography, magnetic resonance or myelography. All of them had corrective surgery and neurological abnormalities were not detected afterwards.

[The value of cerebral biopsy in patients with AIDS and extensive cerebral lesions]. / Valor de la biopsia cerebral en pacientes con SIDA y lesiones expansivas cerebrales.

We performed cerebral biopsy in 4 patients with AIDS and evidence of expanding intracerebral lesions. Three patients had cerebral toxoplasmosis and the fourth had Chagas encephalitis. No patient developed complications. We feel that cerebral biopsy is warranted and safe in patients with AIDS and intracerebral lesions of uncertain origin.