Pregnancy Data in a Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Population.

BACKGROUND: To conduct the first retrospective clinical study investigating pregnancy in Turkish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. SUMMARY: We evaluated 558 pregnancies in 199 MS patients and results were compared with general Turkish population's data. The fertility rate in the MS group was found to be lower than that in the general population, even before MS diagnosis was established. Our study suggests that the higher number of pregnancies may have a favorable effect on transition from relapsing-remitting MS to secondary progressive MS, although no effect has been shown regarding the possibility to reach EDSS 6.0 as a milestone. KEY MESSAGES: Our data support the conclusion that MS does not have a negative effect on the MS course and disability.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in probable Creutzfeld-Jacob disease: comparison with electroencephalography and cerebrospinal fluid characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (CJD) is a rare, progressive disease that has a vast clinical manifestation range. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and measurement of 14-3-3 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may offer a pragmatic approach in the diagnosis of CJD as an alternative to histopathological confirmation. PURPOSE: To present the symptoms and signs of the CJD patients in regard to radiological and neurophysiological findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected all cases with the diagnosis of probable CJD admitted to our neurology department between June 2010 and June 2014. The medical records and laboratory data, clinical features, results of MRI (including diffusion weighted images), EEG and CSF evaluations, and other laboratory data to exclude other possible diagnoses were recorded. None of the patients underwent biopsy or autopsy for histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 20 patients, 11 (55%) were men and nine (45%) were women. The mean age at disease onset was 60.0 ± 9.5 years (age range, 47-80 years). All patients without exception had characteristic abnormalities in DWI and/or FLAIR on admission, about 4 months after the initial symptom. Periodic complexes on EEGs characteristic for CJD were detected only in 10 patients (50%) on admission and in 13 patients (65%) during disease course. Out of 14 patients who underwent CSF examination, 11 (78.5%) were positive for 14-3-3 protein. CONCLUSION: Although the definite diagnosis of CJD is made histopathologically, we aimed to discuss the value of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of CJD in respect to EEG findings and protein 14-3-3 levels in CSF.