Case Report: Yellow Fever Vaccine-Associated Neurotropic Disease and Associated MRI, EEG, and CSF Findings.

Yellow fever vaccine-associated neurotropic disease (YEL-AND) is a rare and serious complication following vaccination with the 17D live attenuated yellow fever vaccine. Cases of YEL-AND have presented as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and meningoencephalitis. To date, intracranial imaging of the progression and resolution of this disease has been minimally depicted in the literature. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed YEL-AND following vaccination. Her diagnosis was complicated by imaging findings consistent with variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease. Her clinical history and the progression of her intracranial imaging is discussed in this case report.

Surgical treatment of migraine headaches.

This prospective study was conducted to investigate the role of removal of corrugator supercilii muscles, transection of the zygomaticotemporal branch of the trigeminal nerve, and temple soft-tissue repositioning in the treatment of migraine headaches. Using the criteria set forth by the International Headache Society, the research team's neurologist evaluated patients with moderate to severe migraine headaches, to confirm the diagnosis. Subsequently, the patients completed a comprehensive migraine headaches questionnaire and the team's plastic surgeon injected 25 units of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into each corrugator supercilii muscle. The patients were asked to maintain an accurate diary of their migraine headaches and to complete a monthly questionnaire documenting pertinent information related to their headaches. Patients in whom the injection of Botox resulted in complete elimination of the migraine headaches then underwent resection of the corrugator supercilii muscles. Those who experienced only significant improvement underwent transection of the zygomaticotemporal branch of the trigeminal nerve with repositioning of the temple soft tissues, in addition to removal of the corrugator supercilii muscles. Once again, patients kept a detailed postoperative record of their headaches. Of the 29 patients included in the study, 24 were women and five were men, with an average age of 44.9 years (range, 24 to 63 years). Twenty-four of 29 patients (82.8 percent, p < 0.001) reported a positive response to the injection of Botox, 16 (55.2 percent, p < 0.001) observed complete elimination, eight (27.6 percent, p < 0.04) experienced significant improvement (at least 50 percent reduction in intensity or severity), and five (17.2 percent, not significant) did not notice a change in their migraine headaches. Twenty-two of the 24 patients who had a favorable response to the injection of Botox underwent surgery, and 21 (95.5 percent, p < 0.001) observed a postoperative improvement. Ten patients (45.5 percent, p < 0.01) reported elimination of migraine headaches and 11 patients (50.0 percent, p < 0.004) noted a considerable improvement. For the entire surgical group, the average intensity of the migraine headaches reduced from 8.9 to 4.1 on an analogue scale of 1 to 10, and the frequency of migraine headaches changed from an average of 5.2 per month to an average of 0.8 per month. For the group who only experienced an improvement, the intensity fell from 9.0 to 7.5 and the frequency was reduced from 5.6 to 1.0 per month. Only one patient (4.5 percent, not significant) did not notice any change. The follow-up ranged from 222 to 494 days, the average being 347 days. In conclusion, this study confirms the value of surgical treatment of migraine headaches, inasmuch as 21 of 22 patients benefited significantly from the surgery. It is also evident that injection of Botox is an extremely reliable predictor of surgical outcome.

Induction of progressive profound hypocitraturia with increasing doses of topiramate.

OBJECTIVES: To provide prospective, longitudinal evidence of the effects of topiramate, an antiepileptic medication prescribed for migraine headaches, on stone-risk factors, specifically as pertaining to dosing and rapidity of onset. METHODS: Patients scheduled to begin topiramate therapy were recruited to participate in the study. Enrolled subjects collected a pretreatment 24-hour urine specimen with subsequent 24-hour urine specimens collected 5 days after beginning topiramate and after each dose escalation. RESULTS: Six subjects enrolled in the study, 4 of whom completed two additional urine collections after initiating topiramate therapy. The pretreatment urine collections of the 4 subjects with additional samples revealed the following mean (range) values: urine volume 1550 (1300 to 1900) mL, pH 6.75 (6 to 7), creatinine 1436.3 (1196 to 1590) mg/day, calcium 305.8 (209 to 423) mg/day, and citrate 606.8 (290 to 860) mg/day. Five days after initiation of topiramate, mean calcium decreased to 211.5 mg/day (31% decrease), and mean citrate decreased to 398 (99 to 804) mg/day, an average decrease of 39.8% (6.5% to 65.9%) per patient. After a dose escalation, calcium increased to 286.8 mg/day, but citrate decreased further to 209 (119 to 353) mg/day, an average decrease of 65.1% (57.9% to 71.7%) per patient from pretreatment levels. CONCLUSIONS: Topiramate therapy induces a profound decrease in urinary citrate levels, equivalent to the levels seen in distal renal tubular acidosis. Citrate levels decrease quickly after the start of topiramate therapy and continue to decrease with escalating doses.

Hourglass deformity after botulinum toxin type A injection.

BACKGROUND: Complications, such as eyelid ptosis, have been attributed to botulinum toxin type A. An "hourglass" deformity, which is the consequence of temporalis muscle atrophy, has not been reported previously. OBJECTIVE: To report a transient muscle deformity of the temporalis muscle caused by botulinum toxin type A. METHODS: Patients who underwent injection of 25 units of botulinum toxin type A into the temporal muscle, in a fan-shaped fashion, during an ongoing study for treatment of migraine were noted to develop temporary depression of the temples. Preinjection and postinjection photographs were taken. Patients were also sent questionnaires to verify the observed information. RESULTS: Only 26 of 92 patients who underwent injection of botulinum toxin type A into the temporalis muscle subsequently reported depression of the muscle. When examined, all 92 patients exhibited this deformity ranging from minimal to significant. Patients who seemed to have less deformity were those who had excessive soft tissue overlying the muscle due to excess weight. CONCLUSION: A newly recognized deformity is reported subsequent to the injection of botulinum toxin type A into the temporalis muscle. Informing patients of this transient deformity may minimize concern following treatment.

Single-site botulinum toxin type a injection for elimination of migraine trigger points.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin may be effective in suppressing migraine. Most injection regimens utilized have involved multiple sites. PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the effect of botulinum toxin type A injections into the corrugator supercilii muscles alone on the frequency and severity of migraine. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (24 women, 5 men) with migraine were enrolled in the study. Average age was 45 years (range, 24 to 63). The frequency (number of migraines per month) and intensity (recorded on an analog scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most severe) of headache were recorded before and after treatment. Twenty-five units of botulinum toxin type A was injected into each corrugator supercilii muscle, for a total of 50 units. RESULTS: At 2 months, 24 (83%) of 29 patients reported a positive response to the injection of botulinum toxin type A (P <.001). Sixteen patients (55%) reported complete elimination of headache (P <.001), 8 (28%) experienced significant improvement (at least 50% reduction in frequency or intensity) (P <.04), and 5 (17%) did not notice a change in headache. The duration of efficacy of the botulinum toxin type A injections ranged from 6 to 12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. In patients who had improvement in migraine but not complete elimination, the headache frequency decreased from 6.4 to 2.1 per month on average (P <.04), and the intensity decreased from 8.6 to 6.1 (P <.04). CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that focal injection of botulinum toxin type A may be an effective therapy for migraine.