Varicella-zoster virus myelitis: an expanding spectrum.

We report four cases of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-associated myelopathy in adults. Myelopathy was remitting-exacerbating in two remarkable instances, once acute and once chronic. VZV myelopathy was diagnosed based on the close temporal relationship between rash and onset of myelopathy, and for the first time, by polymerase chain reaction, which revealed VZV DNA in the cerebral spinal fluid of three patients with pleocytosis weeks to months later. Magnetic resonance imaging was abnormal in three of four patients. Although all four patients were treated at some time with intravenous acyclovir, concomitant treatment with steroids and the presence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in one patient prevented conclusions about a favorable response to therapy. Myelopathy after VZV infection may be remitting-exacerbating in addition to acute or chronic. Detection of VZV DNA in cerebral spinal fluid months after rash was useful for diagnosis and suggests a role for virus in the pathogenesis of myelopathy.

Acute myopathy with selective degeneration of myosin filaments following status asthmaticus treated with methylprednisolone and vecuronium.

We report two cases of severe, acute myopathy with selective degeneration of myosin filaments in asthmatics who developed respiratory failure with hypercapnia and acidosis requiring endotracheal intubation, administration of vecuronium and prolonged ventilatory support. Hypoxia was documented in one case and probably present in the other. Both patients received prolonged treatment with high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone. Flaccid quadriparesis was noted after discontinuation of vecuronium. Muscle biopsy showed nonspecific myopathic changes on light microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed selective loss of myosin filaments in many fibers. Recovery occurred within 2 months with supportive treatment. This entity is probably related to a combination of high doses of corticosteroids, vecuronium administration and metabolic abnormalities associated with respiratory failure.

Apparent valproic acid neurotoxicity in a hypoalbuminemic patient.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of possible neurotoxicity caused by markedly elevated free valproic acid (VPA) plasma concentrations. CASE SUMMARY: A patient with a history of a mixed-type seizure disorder that had been treated with oral VPA 1000 mg four times daily for the previous two years was admitted to the neurology service with the chief complaint of increasing difficulty in walking and involuntary muscle jerks that were new in onset. The patient was hypersomnolent and dysarthric. The total plasma VPA concentration was 103 micrograms/mL, which was only slightly above the recommended therapeutic range (50-100 micrograms/mL). VPA free fraction and free plasma concentrations, however, were unexpectedly elevated (26 percent, 26.8 micrograms/mL, respectively). Further laboratory evaluation revealed a serum albumin concentration of 33 g/L. The neurologic symptoms resolved upon VPA dosage reduction. DISCUSSION: VPA displays concentration-dependent protein binding, resulting in disproportionate increases in drug free fraction with increasing drug concentration. This effect may be magnified in patients with decreased plasma protein-binding capacity. The plasma protein-binding kinetics of VPA are reviewed and the implications for therapeutic drug monitoring are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that the markedly elevated free VPA plasma concentrations contributed to the neurologic symptoms displayed in this patient. In patients with decreased albumin concentrations, failure to recognize concentration-dependent protein binding, as well as exclusive reliance upon total drug concentrations, may lead to erroneous pharmacokinetic and therapeutic interpretations.

CD8 and CD4 T cell-mediated polymyositis complicating the HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. Quantitative evaluation of corticosteroid treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory myopathy is a treatable cause of worsening in the spectrum of neurological conditions that may develop during the course of HTLV-1 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To investigate the cause of subacute worsening in the strength of a 46-y-old black male with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy we performed electrodiagnostic examination and a muscle biopsy which was studied with histochemistry, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Serial measurements of isometric muscle strength were performed during the course of corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: The muscle biopsy showed evidence of denervation atrophy and prominent inflammatory changes with autoaggressive features. Lymphocyte typing showed a predominance of CD8+ T cells. The patient had sustained, marked improvement in strength, especially of the upper extremities, with oral, high single-dose, alternate-day prednisone therapy. CONCLUSION: A muscle biopsy should be considered in all patients with HTLV-1 associated weakness, especially when electromyography indicates possible coexisting primary muscle involvement and/or serum creatine kinase levels are elevated. HTLV-1-associated polymyositis can be successfully treated with corticosteroids.

Disk-caused nerve compression in patients with acute low-back pain: diagnosis with MR, CT myelography, and plain CT.

Ninety-five patients with acute low-back and radicular pain underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and either plain computed tomography (CT) (n = 32) or CT myelography (n = 63) for diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus-caused nerve compression (HNPNC). Patients were followed up for at least 6-12 months. Fifty-six patients underwent surgery, and 39 received conservative treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed on correlation of results of blinded image reading with "true" diagnoses determined by an expert panel [corrected]. Results in subgroup analysis for ROC curve areas were MR, 0.84, versus plain CT, 0.86; MR, 0.81, versus CT myelography, 0.83; and MR, 0.82, versus findings with both CT techniques, 0.85. Results indicate no statistically significant difference in diagnostic accuracy of HNPNC among the three modalities. Thus, factors of cost, radiation dose, and invasiveness influence selection of modality. On the basis of accuracy findings, the authors suggest that MR should replace CT myelography because of the invasiveness of myelography but that MR should not replace plain CT because plain CT is equally accurate and much less costly.