Is overactive bladder a nervous or bladder disorder? Autonomic imaging in patients with overactive bladder via dynamic pupillometry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in dynamic pupillometry in patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The study included 40 female patients with idiopathic OAB and 40 healthy female volunteers as a control group. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Dynamic pupillometric parameters were measured with a commercially available unit (MonPack One, Metrovision, France) at baseline and on the 30th day of treatment with an antimuscarinic treatment (drug-agent) (solifenacin 5 mg daily). Initial, minimum, maximum and mean pupil diameters, the latency and duration of contraction and dilatation of the pupil, the amplitude of contraction and dilatation velocity were automatically measured and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to age and body mass index (p = 0.288, 0.755, respectively). The measurements of initial, minimum and mean pupil diameters were significantly lower in patients with OAB compared to healthy controls (p = 0.007, 0.002, 0.001, respectively). OAB patients had significantly longer latency of pupil dilatation, latency of pupil contraction and shorter duration of pupil contraction than control group (p = 0.028, 0.029, 0.021, respectively). After the antimuscarinic treatment, latency of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilatation and duration of pupil contraction shortened significantly (all p < 0.001). Pupil dilatation velocity increased significantly during the treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic pupillometric findings in this study imply impaired autonomic dysfunction, mostly the increased parasympathetic action, in OAB patients and the modulatory effects of antimuscarinic treatment.

Association of nerve conduction impairment and insulin resistance in children with obesity.

AIM: The objective of our study was to investigate nerve conduction in normoglycemic obese children. METHODS: A total of 60 children with obesity (30 female and 30 male) and 30 healthy children (15 female and 15 male) were enrolled in the study. Insulin resistance (IR) and other metabolic disturbances were investigated and nerve conduction was measured in all participants. Obese children were divided into groups according to the presence of IR. All results were compared between these subgroups. RESULTS: The nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of motor median nerves in the IR+ group was significantly higher than that in the IR- group and lower than that in the control group. The NCV of the motor peroneal nerve in the IR+ group was significantly lower than that in the IR- group. The sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of the sensory median nerve was significantly lower in the IR+ group compared to that in the IR- group. The sensory sural nerve's SNAP was significantly lower in the IR+ group than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Nerve conduction tests may help to detect early pathologies in peripheral nerves and to decrease morbidities in obese children.

P300 auditory event-related potentials in children with obesity: is childhood obesity related to impairment in cognitive functions?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate alterations in P300 auditory event-related potentials in children with obesity to detect changes in cognitive functions. METHOD: A total of 50 children with obesity and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. Laboratory tests were performed to detect dislipidemia and insulin resistance (IR). The latencies and amplitudes of P300 waves were measured in healthy and obese subjects with or without IR. The oddball paradigm was used in recordings of P300 auditory event-related potentials. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between groups regarding latency and amplitude of P300 component obtained from central (Cz) electrode. The grand means of P300 latency were longer, and amplitude decreased significantly in obese group compared to that of healthy controls. When the obese group was divided into two different subgroups, those with IR and without IR, the grand means of P300 latency were longer and the amplitude decreased significantly in subjects with IR compared to those without IR. CONCLUSION: Both decreased amplitude and prolonged latency of P300 are associated with IR in children with obesity, which shows the impairment of neural activity associated with sensory and cognitive information processing in these children. Further studies are necessary to strengthen the current findings and to determine the exact mechanism of cognitive impairment in obese children.

Electrophysiological assessment of the autonomic nervous system in male patients with acromegaly.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to electrophysiologically evaluate the autonomic function in acromegalic patients using sympathetic skin response (SSR) as a reflection of the sympathetic sudomotor activity and RR interval variation (RRIV) as an indicator of the cardiovagal autonomic function. METHODS: The study group consisted of 18 male acromegalics, and the control group was composed of 18 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Participants underwent SSR and RRIV tests. Beginning latencies and amplitudes of the median and tibial SSRs were compared among the groups. The RRIV values recorded at rest and during hyperventilation were compared among the patients and controls. RESULTS: Latencies of SSRs recorded from the palms (median) and soles (tibial) of acromegalics were significantly longer than in healthy subjects (p = 0.004, p < 0.001). The amplitude of SSR recorded from the sole (tibial) was significantly decreased (p = 0.028). The RRIVs obtained from acromegalics at rest and during hyperventilation were significantly decreased compared with those of controls (p < 0.001). The RRIVs obtained from controls prolonged significantly during hyperventilation (p < 0.001); however, in the acromegaly group, hyperventilation did not cause a significant change in RRIV (p = 0.983). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that an autonomic dysfunction exists in patients with acromegaly. Dysautonomia in acromegalics may be documented by means of SSR and RRIV.

Cerebral venous thrombosis presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage after spinal anesthesia.

A 22-year-old male had a meniscopathy operation using spinal anesthesia. After the operation, the patient reported a throbbing headache. His brain computed tomography (CT) showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and hyperdense dural venous sinuses suspicious for thrombosis. Filling defects were observed in the superior sagittal and right transverse sinuses on the contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images. The patient was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). On the tenth day of his admission, his clinical findings progressed and heparin therapy was initiated after resorption of hemorrhage was observed in a second non-contrast CT scan. The patient developed decreased consciousness the day after heparin administration. A subsequent brain CT revealed intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the right anteroinferior frontal region. Heparin therapy was discontinued, and anti-edema therapy was started. The presentation of CVST with SAH is a rare condition. Furthermore, development of CVST after spinal anesthesia is very rare. In this case, CVST developed after spinal anesthesia, and its first clinical presentation was SAH. To our knowledge, this is the first case CVST presenting with SAH after spinal anesthesia.

Electrophysiological findings in patients with adult tethered cord syndrome.

AIM: This study was planned for detailed evaluation of electrophysiological findings in patients with adult TCS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were retrospectively assessed for clinical, radiological and electrophysiological data between 1999 and 2008. Tibial somatosensorial evoked potentials, needle electromyography, nerve conduction studies and late responses (H reflex and F response) were studied in thirty (1 female, 29 males) TCS patients diagnosed by lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Tibial somato-sensorial evoked potentials cortical response latency was abnormal in 18 (60%) patients. Needle electromyography revealed chronic neurogenic involvement in 13 (43.3%) patients. In nerve conduction studies, motor unit action potential amplitudes were reduced in 5 (16.6%) patients and H reflexes were abnormal in 13 (43.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Different electrophysiological abnormalities may be seen in patients with adult TCS. Our results indicated that tibial SEP abnormalities are most sensitive electrophysiological finding in patients with adult TCS. Patients with TCS should undergo electrophysiological examinations whether they have subjective or objective complaints. These examinations should evaluate different systems and treatment planning should be done with the data obtained.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: case report.

A 28-year-old woman had thunderclap headache (TCH), after 7 days she had left hemiparesis. She had a history of oral contraceptive and citalopram medications. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) angiography demonstrated multiple stenotic segments. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed multiple segments of narrowing in vessel calibre. Two probable diagnoses performed; primary angiitis of the central nervous system and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Because of clinical characteristics and normal cerebrospinal fluid findings she was set on medication for probable RCVS. Follow-up MR angiography after 4 weeks and DSA after 7 weeks demonstrated improvement in vessel calibre. Thus, diagnosis RCVS was established. Diagnosis and management of TCH contain many potential difficulties. Clinicians should consider the imaging of cerebral arteries, even if computed tomography scan and lumbar puncture are normal in TCH. Potential precipitating factors and triggers should also be known and avoided.

Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in children with headache.

BACKGROUND: Headache is a common problem in the pediatric population. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate visual evoked potentials (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in children with headache. METHODS: Thirty-seven children fulfilling the International Headache Society Criteria for a diagnosis of migraine, 35 children with tension-type headache and 40 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of patients and controls was 10.4 years. P100 latency and amplitudes of migraine patients were significantly higher than children with tension-type headache and control subjects. Children with tension-type headache also had higher P100 latency and amplitude values than control subjects but there was no statistical difference. BAEP responses were similar between all groups. CONCLUSION: Measurement of VEP latency and amplitude is a valuable and reliable test for the diagnosis of migraine and can be used safely in childhood.

Echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and clinical correlates of recurrent transient ischemic attacks: a follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is presumed to be of cardiovascular origin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical signs for predicting TIA recurrence. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients presenting with a first episode of TIA without atrial fibrillation, previous stroke, and uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension were enrolled in the study. The electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical parameters were obtained in those patients. The patients received a follow-up of bimonthly visits and were grouped according to the presence (or lack) of TIA recurrence in the follow-up period. RESULTS: Of these patients, 23 experienced recurrent TIA and 72 did not; 5 patients dropped out. Independent risk factors evaluated for TIA recurrence were aortic diameter, left atrial diameter, P-wave dispersion, hyperlipidemia, absence of lipid lowering, and warfarin treatment. CONCLUSION: Careful electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation of patients with TIA may help assess the outcome of patients and guide therapeutic interventions.

Decreased cerebral vasomotor reactivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: In obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), any of the activated neural, vascular, hemodynamic, metabolic, inflammatory, and thrombotic mechanisms may be related to increased cerebrovascular disease and risk of death; however, the possible pathophysiological process between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and stroke has not been clearly explained. We hypothesize that alterations in vasomotor reactivity in patients may be responsible for their altered cerebral blood flow, and may contribute to the increased risk of ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 30 untreated patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea and 26 control subjects were included in the study. The mean blood flow velocity and breath holding index were measured in middle cerebral artery bilaterally in both patient and control groups by using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. We compared the values between two groups. RESULTS: The mean blood flow velocity and breath holding indexes were significantly decreased in the patient group when compared with the control group. There were no correlations between cerebral hemodynamic parameters and polysomnographic findings in patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there was a deteriorated vasodilator response to hypercapnia in patients with OSAS. This deterioration may stem from chemoreceptors or endothelial damages that lead to vascular relaxation and vasodilatation in cerebrovascular circulation. This impaired cerebral vascular regulation may contribute to the increased risk of stroke in patients with OSAS.

Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in children with obesity.

AIMS: The aim of our study is to investigate alterations in visual evoked potentials (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in children with obesity. METHODS: A total of 96 children, with a mean age of 12.1±2.0 years (range 9-17 years, 63 obese and 33 age and sex-matched control subjects) were included in the study. Laboratory tests were performed to detect insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia. The latencies and amplitudes of VEP and BAEP were measured in healthy and obese subjects. RESULTS: The VEP P100, BAEP interpeak latency (IPL) I-III and IPL I-V averages of obese children were significantly longer than the control subjects. When the obese group was divided into two subgroups, those with IR and without IR, BAEP wave I, wave III and P100 wave latencies were found to be longer in the group with IR. A statistically significant correlation was observed between BAEP wave I latency, IPL I-V, IPL I-III and the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA IR) index and fasting insulin level. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that VEP and BAEP can be used to determine early subclinical on auditory and visual functions of obese children with insulin resistance.

[The value of laryngeal electromyography in the prognosis of vocal cord paralysis]. / Vokal kord paralizilerinin takibinde larenjeal elektromiyografinin önemi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the value of laryngeal electromyography (EMG) in monitoring patients with vocal cord paralysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles of 40 patients (10 females, 30 males; mean age 32 years; range 18 to 61 years) with vocal cord paralysis were monitored with laryngeal electromyography. The patients were divided into two groups according to time to presentation after symptom onset, i.e. within 1-3 months (group 1; n=14), and after at least 12 months (group 2; n=26). Electromyography was repeated every three months in group 1, and in the third and sixth months in group 2. RESULTS: Initial EMG examinations showed polyphasic reinnervation potentials and partial axonal degeneration in 21 laryngeal nerves in group 1. Recovery was expected in these patients. Repeat EMGs revealed normal findings in 17 laryngeal nerves, yielding a prognostic estimation of 80.9% (17/21). In group 2, none of the patients demonstrated polyphasic potentials or motor unit potentials suggesting reinnervation on admission. The earliest and latest recoveries were observed in the fourth and eleventh months (mean 6.4 months) in group 1, respectively. However, group 2 patients were followed-up for at least 18 months after the onset of their symptoms and none manifested clinical and electrophysiologic improvement. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that EMG is a useful technique in the estimation of prognosis of patients presenting in the early period of vocal cord paralysis.

[Comparison between the distraction and grafting methods in the treatment of peripheral neural defects: an experimental study in rabbits]. / Periferik sinir defektlerinin tedavisinde distraksiyon ve greftleme yöntemlerinin karsilastirilmasi: Tavsanda deneysel çalisma.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the electrophysiologic and histopathologic results of grafting and distraction methods in the treatment of defective peripheral neural injuries. METHODS: Thirty male white rabbits (age 6 months) were divided into three groups and a circular external fixator (CEF) was applied to the right tibias. In group I (primary repair), the right deep peroneal nerve was cut without inducing any defect and a tibial osteotomy was performed. The remaining groups underwent bone and nerve excision of about 1 cm in the middle third of the tibia. In group II, the defect area was closed acutely with the CEF and the continuity of the nerve was restored. In group III, a nerve graft obtained from the left side was placed in the defect area and an epiperineural repair was made. Group II underwent distraction 21 days after surgery for 10 days with a rate of 0.25 mm four times a day. Electrophysiological studies were performed in the 12th and 24th weeks and nerve biopsies were obtained in the 32nd week for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Electrophysiological studies in the 12th week did not show any significant differences in nerve conduction between the three groups; however, in the 24th week, amplitude and latency values of the graft group were 50% lower than those of the primary repair and distraction groups (p<0.05). On histological examination, the results were good in group I and II, but poor in group III with respect to nerve fiber density, thickness of the myelin sheath, degenerative changes in the myelin sheath, and average axon number. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that treatment of neural defects by the distraction method results in much better results than the grafting method.

Reduced breath holding index in patients with chronic migraine.

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder characterized by autonomic nervous system dysfunction and severe headache attacks. Studies have shown that changes in the intracranial vessels during migraine have an important role in the pathophysiology. Many studies have been conducted on the increased risk of stroke in patients with migraine, but insufficient data are available on the mechanism underlying the increase. This study aimed to evaluate basal cerebral blood flow velocity and vasomotor reactivity in patients with chronic migraine. We evaluated 38 patients with chronic migraine. Three of them were excluded because they had auras and four of them were excluded because of their use of medication that can affect cerebral blood flow velocity and breath holding index (beta or calcium channel blockers). Our study population consisted of 31 patients with chronic migraine without aura and 29 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals who were not taking any medication. The mean blood flow velocity and breath holding index were measured on both sides from the middle cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery, with temporal window insonation. The breath holding index for middle cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery was significantly lower in the migraine group compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05).The vasomotor reactivity indicates the dilatation potential of a vessel, and it is closely related to autoregulation. According to our results, the vasodilator response of cerebral arterioles to hypercapnia was lower in patients with chronic migraine. These findings showed the existence of impairments in the harmonic cerebral hemodynamic mechanisms in patients with chronic migraine. This finding also supports the existing idea of an increased risk of stroke in patients with chronic migraine due to impaired vasomotor reactivity.

Evaluation of central neuropathy in type II diabetes mellitus by multimodal evoked potentials.

The electrophysiological results in 51 patients with diabetes mellitus type II were compared with those in 30 age and sex matched healthy control subjects. Peripheral and cortical latencies of median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), bilateral I-III and I-V interpeak latencies (IPL) of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), bilateral P100 latency of visual evoked potentials (VEP) and bilateral cortical latency and central motor conduction time of motor evoked potentials (MEP) were evaluated. We observed prolonged latencies suggestive of central neuropathy in DM type II. It has been shown that most of the electrophysiological parameters in patients with DM type II correlate with the duration of the disease, some of them with the age of the patient, and few of them with the onset of the disease. To our knowledge, there is no correlation between the electrophysiological parameters and the level of glycemia or the degree of metabolic control. We conclude that central and peripheral neuropathies in DM are related to the duration of the disease and not to the degree of hyperglycemia and metabolic control.

Foot drop due to cranial gunshot wound.

OBJECTIVE: We present a case of foot drop from hemorrhagic contusion after cranial gunshot, which has never been reported. METHODS: A 21-year-old man was admitted with inability of dorsiflexion 1 day after a tangential gunshot wound of the scalp. The scalp skin was cut by the rifle bullet. He had foot drop and his neurological examination was normal except for weakness at dorsiflexion of the right foot. Pathological reflexes and sensation failure were not detected. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images showed hyperintense contusion at the right superior frontal gyrus and mild subdural hemorrhage. Peripheral nervous system examination was electrophysiologically normal. Motor-evoked potentials showed the location of the lesion at the motor cortex because no electrical record was obtained from the right anterior tibial and extensor digitorum brevis muscles, and there was a normal record on the left. Six months later, the patient's neurological examination was uneventful. CONCLUSION: When a cranial gunshot wound injury victim presents with foot drop, the central causes should be included in the differential diagnosis list.

Strength-duration time constant in peripheral nerve: no abnormality in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives. To investigate the properties of the strength-duration time constant (SDTC) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods. The SDTC and rheobase in 16 MS patients and 19 healthy controls were obtained following stimulation of the right median nerve at the wrist. Results. SDTC and rheobase values were 408.3 ± 60.0 µs and 4.0 ± 1.8 mA in MS patients, versus 408.0 ± 62.4 µs and 3.8 ± 2.1 mA in controls. The differences were not significant in SDTC or rheobase values between the patients and controls (P = 0.988 for SDTC and P = 0.722 for rheobase). Conclusion. Our study showed no abnormality in relapsing remitting MS patients in terms of SDTC, which gives some indirect information about peripheral Na(+) channel function. This may indicate that alterations in the Na(+) channel pattern in central nervous system (CNS) couldnot be shown in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in the MS patients by SDTC. The opinion that MS can be a kind of channelopathy might be proven by performing other axonal excitability tests or SDTC in progressive forms of MS.

[Botulinum neuro-toxin aype-A in the treatment of chronic tension type headache associated with pericranial tenderness]. / Perikranial hassasiyet ile iliskili kronik gerilim tipi bas agrisinda botulinum toksin tip A tedavisi.

OBJECTIVES: Both peripheral and central nociceptive mechanisms are responsible in chronic TTH. Analgegics are used in the acute treatment of chronic TTH and antidepressants are used in prophylactic treatment. However, further studies are needed to bring out new treatment options. The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of Botulinum Neuro-toxin Type-A (BoNTA) in the treatment of chronic TTH associated with pericranial tenderness (PT). METHODS: 14 patients with chronic TTH with PT were included in the study. 50 units Botox(®) injection was applied to the pericranial muscles (5 units for each muscles bilaterally: frontal, temporal, semispinalis capitis, spenius capitis and trapezius muscles) for each patient. Severity of headache was evaluated by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and number of days with headache per month were recorded before treatment and 2nd and 4th months after treatment. RESULTS: Number of days with headache per month were 19.57 ± 3.25 before treatment, 15.28 ± 4.37 at the 2nd month after treatment and 15.78 ± 3.90 at the 4th month after treatment. Severity of headache was 65.71 ± 9.16 before the treatment, 50.71 ± 13.56 at the 2nd month after treatment and 54.28 ± 10.35 at the 4th month after treatment (p<0.05). Frequency and severity of headache before treatment were significantly decreased at the 2nd month after treatment and this significance continued at the 4th month after treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: BoNTA treatment may be usefull in the treatment of patients with chronic TTH associated with PT.

The effects of low-dose radiation in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury in rats.

AIM: Peripheral nerve regeneration is often blocked by scar formation and misdirection of axon sprouts. The aim of this study is to evaluate electrophysiological and histopathological effects of low-dose radiation therapy on the prevention of intraneural scar formation in peripheral nerve injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, twenty rats were randomly divided into two groups. Left sciatic nerves were exposed and clipped by temporary aneurysm clip for 5 minutes in both groups. In all animals, electrophysiological recordings were performed between 22-24 hours after sciatic nerve injury. The control group was not given any treatment. In the experimental group, 700 cGy low-dose radiation was administered on the left sciatic nerves 24 hours after clipping. Six weeks after injury, electrophysiological recordings were performed in both groups and animals were sacrificed to evaluate the injured nerves histopathologically. RESULTS: We observed that low-dose radiotherapy increased the amplitude and improved latency measurements in electrophysiological examinations. Histopathologically, more axonal degeneration and vacuolization was observed in the control group comparing with the experimental group. Endoneural space increased slightly more in the control group than the experimental group. CONCLUSION: It was observed that low-dose radiotherapy may prevent intraneural scar formation and may improve electrophysiological recovery in sciatic nerve injury performed in rats.