Revisión de la utilización de la prueba con lorazepam como evaluación diagnóstica de catatonía / Review of the utilization of the lorazepam test as a diagnostic evaluation of catatonia

La catatonía es un síndrome neuropsiquiátrico que se presenta con una serie heterogénea de signos y síntomas psicomotores, afectivos, conductuales y autonómicos. Es una manifestación inespecífica de ciertos trastornos mentales, metabólicos, inmunológicos, endocrinológicos, infecciosos y neurológicos, y es fundamental establecer estrategias de diagnóstico precoz para implementar medidas terapéuticas eficaces y oportunas. El objetivo de esta revisión sistematizada es evaluar la utilidad de la prueba de lorazepam como estrategia diagnóstica en individuos con catatonía. Se utilizó los buscadores Cochrane, Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed y Scopus. Los artículos seleccionados son ensayos clínicos y cohortes prospectivos, en los cuales se analizó la forma de diagnóstico de catatonía, la utilización y protocolo de la prueba de lorazepam y las medidas de respuesta. La búsqueda inicial determinó 87 artículos; aplicando los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se culminó en la elección de 8 artículos. La identificación de la catatonía presenta dificultades y su diagnóstico es variable, lo cual genera limitaciones en cuanto a intervenciones precoces. Existe una heterogeneidad de evaluaciones y de estrategias, pero la bibliografía es sugerente en cuanto a la utilización de lorazepam como evaluación confirmatoria y tratamiento inicial de la catatonía. La prueba de lorazepam forma parte de un protocolo de manejo, y puede ser un paso en la toma de decisiones para que individuos con catatonía reciban una intervención oportuna. Se concluye que la prueba de lorazepam es una técnica accesible y replicable, con resultados prometedores para su eventual implementación, pero se necesita nuevos estudios que involucren su aplicación estandarizada.

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by a heterogeneous range of psychomotor, affective, behavioral, and autonomic signs and symptoms. It is a nonspecific manifestation of certain mental, metabolic, immunological, endocrinological, infectious, and neurological disorders. Therefore, it is essential to establish early diagnostic strategies to implement effective and timely therapeutic measures. This review aims to evaluate the utility of the Lorazepam Challenge Test as a diagnostic strategy in individuals with catatonia. A review was conducted using search engines such as Cochrane, Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, and Scopus. The initial search yielded 87 articles, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected. The selected articles are clinical trials and prospective cohorts, where catatonia diagnosis, the use and protocol of the Lorazepam Challenge Test, and response measures were analyzed. Identifying catatonia is challenging, and its diagnosis varies, leading to limitations in early interventions. There is a heterogeneity of evaluations and strategies, but the literature suggests the use of lorazepam as a confirmatory evaluation and initial treatment for catatonia. The Lorazepam Challenge Test is part of a management protocol and can be a decision-making step for individuals with catatonia to receive timely intervention. It is concluded that The Lorazepam Challenge Test is an accessible and replicable technique with promising results for potential implementation, requiring further studies involving its standardized application.

An easy and reliable way to prevent electrocardiographic deteriorations of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: preoperative anxiolytic treatment

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of preoperative anxiety relieving on electrophysiological changes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: A total of 61 patients at ASA III risk group in the age range of 18-65 years were enrolled in the present study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group S (Sedation group) was administered 0.04 mg/kg lorazepam per os (PO) twice before the operation. Group C (control group) was not administered with any anxiolytic premedication. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to evaluate the level of anxiety. Electrocardiography (ECG), pulse oximeter and standard monitoring were performed for each patient. QT and P dispersions in each derivation of all ECGs were calculated. Results: Preoperative STAI-I scores were significantly lower in sedation group compared to the controls. Mean values of QT dispersion measured before induction, at the 1st minute of induction, 30th second of intubation and 4th minute of intubation in sedation group were significantly reduced compared to controls (P=0.024; P=0.027; P=0.001; P=0.033, respectively). The mean values of P dispersion measured before induction, at the 3rd minute of induction, 30th second of intubation and 4th minute of intubation in sedation group were significantly reduced compared to controls (P=0.001; P=0.020; P=0.023; P=0.005, respectively). Conclusion: Elevated anxiety levels in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery have a negative effect through prolonged QT and P-wave dispersion times. Anxiolytic treatment before surgery may be useful to prevent ventricular and atrial arrhythmias and associated complications through decreasing the QT and P-wave dispersion duration.

TeleCondutas: avaliação e manejo da insônia / TeleGuides: evaluation and management of insomnia

A insônia é o mais prevalente dos transtornos do sono. É definida como a insatisfação com a qualidade ou a quantidade de sono, que ocorre a despeito de adequada oportunidade para dormir e que impõe ao indivíduo algum tipo de prejuízo durante o dia. A prevalência da insônia crônica em sociedades industrializadas é de 5 a 10%. Entre pessoas portadoras de doença crônica (psiquiátricas ou não) e idosos, a prevalência é significativamente maior. Trata-se de queixa frequente na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Este material contempla as situações mais comumente associadas a insônia na APS, assim como o manejo inicial desta queixa. Está baseado em extensa revisão das evidências disponíveis na literatura, em boas práticas clínicas e adaptado à realidade brasileira, considerando as intervenções terapêuticas disponíveis. Esta guia apresenta informação que orienta a conduta para casos de avaliação e manejo da insônia no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde, incluindo: Avaliação Geral, Avaliação Objetiva, Avaliação e Manejo em situações específicas, Intervenções Não-Farmacológicas, Manejo Farmacológico na APS, Retirada de benzodiazepínico, Preocupações com uso de amitriptilina, Fármacos não recomendados na APS, Avaliação longitudinal da insônia, Fluxograma para avaliação e manejo da insônia.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in the post-anesthesia recovery unit / Convulsões não epilépticas psicogênicas em sala de recuperação pós-anestésica

Abstract Introduction: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES or “pseudoseizures”) remain an obscure topic in the peri-operative setting. They are sudden and time-limited motor and cognitive disturbances, which mimic epileptic seizures, but are psychogenically mediated. Pseudoseizures occur more frequently than epilepsy in the peri-operative setting. Early diagnosis and management may prevent iatrogenic injury. Case: 48 year-old female with a history of depression and “seizures” presented for gynecologic surgery. She described her seizure history as “controlled” without anticonvulsant therapy. The patient underwent uneventful general anesthesia and recovered neurologically intact. During the first two postoperative hours, the patient experienced 3 episodes of seizure-like activity with generalized shaking of extremities and pelvic thrusting; her eyes were firmly closed. No tongue biting or incontinence was noted. The episodes lasted approximately 3 min each, one of which resolved spontaneously and the other two following intravenous lorazepam. During these episodes, the patient had stable hemodynamics and adequate ventilation such that endotracheal intubation was deemed unwarranted. Post-ictally, the patient was neurologically intact. Computed axial tomography of the head, metabolic assay, and electroencephalogram showed no abnormalities. A presumptive diagnosis of PNES was made. Discussion: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures mimic shivering, and should be considered early in the differential diagnosis of postoperative shaking, as they may be more likely than epilepsy in this setting. Pseudoseizure patterns include asynchronous convulsive episodes lasting more than 90 s, forced eye closure with resistance to opening, and retained pupillary responses. Autonomic manifestations such as tachycardia, cyanosis and incontinence are usually absent. A psychiatric background is common. Knowledge and correct diagnosis of pseudoseizures is of great importance for anesthesiologists to prevent morbidity and iatrogenic injury such as respiratory arrest caused by anticonvulsant therapy, in addition to the risks associated with endotracheal intubation and prolonged hospital stays. The diagnosis of pseudoseizures must be thoroughly documented and relayed in transfer of care to avoid misdiagnosis and iatrogenic complications. Treatment recommendations are anecdotal; psychiatric interventions are the hallmark of treatment. Anesthetic recommendations include techniques involving the minimum required short-acting agents, along with high levels of peri-operative psychological support and reassurance.

Resumo Introdução: As convulsões não epilépticas psicogênicas (CNEP ou “pseudoconvulsões”) permanecem como tema obscuro no cenário perioperatório. Trata-se de distúrbios motores e cognitivos súbitos, mas por tempo limitado, que imitam as convulsões epilépticas, mas que são psicogenicamente mediados. Pseudoconvulsões ocorrem com mais frequência do que epilepsia em cenário perioperatório. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoces podem evitar lesões iatrogênicas. Caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 48 anos, com história de depressão e “convulsões”, apresentou-se para cirurgia ginecológica. A paciente descreveu sua história de convulsões “controladas” sem o uso de terapia anticonvulsivante. Foi submetida à anestesia geral sem intercorrências e recuperou-se neurologicamente intacta. Durante as duas primeiras horas de pós-operatório, apresentou três episódios semelhantes à convulsão, com tremores generalizados das extremidades e impulso pélvico; seus olhos estavam bem fechados. Não observamos mordedura da língua ou incontinência. Os episódios duraram cerca de três minutos cada; um dos episódios resolveu espontaneamente e os outros dois após a administração de lorazepam por via intravenosa. Durante os episódios, a condição hemodinâmica da paciente era estável e a ventilação adequada, de modo que a intubação traqueal foi considerada injustificável. Após a convulsão, a paciente estava neurologicamente intacta. Tomografia axial da cabeça, teste metabólico e eletroencefalograma não mostraram alterações. O diagnóstico de provável CNEP foi feito. Discussão: As convulsão não epilépticas psicogênicas imitam o tremor e devem ser inicialmente consideradas no diagnóstico diferencial de tremor pós-operatório, pois podem ser mais prováveis do que a epilepsia nesse cenário. Os padrões da pseudoconvulsão incluem episódios convulsivos assíncronos que duram mais de 90 segundos, olhos forçadamente fechados com resistência à abertura e respostas pupilares mantidas. Manifestações autonômicas, como taquicardia, cianose e incontinência, normalmente estão ausentes. Uma história psiquiátrica é comum. O conhecimento e o diagnóstico correto de pseudoconvulsões são muito importantes para os anestesiologistas para a prevenção de morbidade e lesões iatrogênicas, como a parada respiratória causada por terapia anticonvulsivante, além dos riscos associados à intubação orotraqueal e internação prolongada. O diagnóstico de pseudoconvulsões deve ser cuidadosamente documentado e retransmitido nas trocas de equipes médicas para evitar erros de diagnóstico e complicações iatrogênicas. As recomendações de tratamento são anedóticas; intervenções psiquiátricas são o pilar do tratamento. As recomendações anestésicas incluem técnicas que envolvem o uso de agentes de ação curta, juntamente com altos níveis de apoio e amparo psicológico no período perioperatório.

Recurrent opisthotonus in catatonia: An atypical presentation.

Opisthotonus is known to occur in tetanus, rabies, cerebral malaria, neurosyphilis, acute cerebral injury and other medical conditions. Opisthotonus, so far, has not been reported in any major psychiatric disorder. Authors report a case of recurrent opisthotonus presenting concurrently with other catatonic signs which showed dramatic response to combination of lorazepam and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Clinicians should consider the possibility of catatonia in the differential diagnosis of opisthotonus since catatonia can be treated easily with benzodiazepines and ECT.

Haloperidol mais prometazina para pacientes agitados - uma revisão sistemática / Haloperidol plus promethazine for agitated patients - a systematic review

OBJETIVO: A tranquilização farmacológica rápida e segura de episódios de agitação/agressividade é muitas vezes inevitável. Esta revisão investiga a efetividade da combinação haloperidol e prometazina intramuscular, muito utilizada no Brasil. MÉTODO: Através de busca nos registros do Cochrane Schizophrenia Group, foram incluídos todos os ensaios clínicos nos quais a combinação haloperidol e prometazina foi avaliada em pacientes agressivos com psicose. Todos os estudos relevantes foram avaliados quanto à qualidade e tiveram seus dados extraídos de forma confiável. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados quatro estudos relevantes de alta qualidade. A combinação haloperidol e prometazina foi comparada com midazolam, lorazepam, haloperidol isolado e olanzapina, todos administrados por via intramuscular. No Brasil, a combinação foi efetiva, com mais de 2/3 dos pacientes tranquilos em 30 minutos, mas midazolam foi mais rápido. Na Índia, comparado a lorazepam, a combinação haloperidol e prometazina foi mais efetiva. Após as primeiras horas, as diferenças foram negligenciáveis. O uso de haloperidol isolado acarretou maior incidência de efeitos adversos. Olanzapina promove tranquilização tão rapidamente quanto a combinação, mas não tem efeito tão duradouro e mais pessoas necessitaram medicação adicional nas quatro horas subseqüentes. CONCLUSÃO: Todos os medicamentos avaliados são eficazes, mas esta revisão demonstra vantagens no uso da combinação haloperidol e prometazina.

OBJECTIVE: Rapid and safe tranquillisation is sometimes unavoidable. We conducted this systematic review to determine the value of the combination haloperidol plus promethazine, frequently used in Brazil. METHOD: We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register and included all randomised clinical trials involving aggressive people with psychosis for which haloperidol plus promethazine was being used. We reliably selected, quality assessed and extracted data from all relevant studies. RESULTS: We identified four relevant high quality studies. The combination haloperidol plus promethazine mix was compared with midazolam, lorazepam, haloperidol alone and olanzapine Intramuscular. In Brazil, haloperidol plus promethazine was effective with over 2/3 of people being tranquil by 30 minutes, but midazolam was more swift and in India, compared with lorazepam, the combination was more effective. Over the next few hours reported differences are negligible. Haloperidol given without promethazine in this situation causes frequent serious adverse effects. Olanzapine is as rapidly tranquillising as haloperidol plus promethazine, but did not have an enduring effect and more people needed additional drugs within 4 hours. CONCLUSION: All treatments evaluated are effective, but this review provides compelling evidence as to clear advantages of the haloperidol plus promethazine combination.

Guidelines for diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy.

Justification: Seizures constitute the most common neurological problem in children and the majority of epilepsy has its onset in childhood. Appropriate diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy is essential to improve quality of life in these children. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, modified to the Indian setting by a panel of experts, are not available. Process: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics organized a consensus meeting on the diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy on 22-23 of July 2006 at Mumbai. An expert committee was formed consisting of pediatricians, pediatric epileptologists, pediatric and adult neurologists, electrophysiologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and intensivists. A consensus was reached during the discussion that followed presentation by each of these experts. The process of updating these recommendations and arriving at consensus continued till 2009. Objectives: To develop practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of childhood epilepsy. Recommendations: Recommendations for diagnosis and management of following childhood seizures and epilepsies are given: neonatal seizures, acute symptomatic seizures, neurocysticercosis, febrile seizures, idiopathic partial and generalized epilepsies, first unprovoked seizure, newly diagnosed epilepsy, catastrophic epilepsies of infancy, refractory epilepsies of older children and adolescents, epilepsy with cognitive deterioration and status epilepticus.

Outcome of Bipolar I (mania) disorders, In Relation with Personality Profile.

This prospective semi structured study evaluated the relations of symptomatology and outcome of bipolar manic patients with personality vulnerability. Methods: 52 patients of bipolar (mania) disorder, out of total 430 admitted patients in psychiatry ward, from January 10, to July 9, 2005 were included in the study. The patients with organic diseases or on any drugs for last two weeks were excluded from the study. All the patients were diagnosed as per ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Patients of bipolar mania were administered Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) to assess the severity of mania. The personality traits and disorders were assessed by the help of ICD-10 module of International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE). The stress in preceding one month was evaluated by using 41 items Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale. Initial response to lorazepam was monitored to determine outcome categories. Results: The clinical and demographic variables of the study sample were analyzed with initial response to IV lorazepam as quick responder (grade-I), moderate and poor responders (grade II, III). Sociodemographic variables like marital status (x2 = 1.62, df = 2, NS) and education status (X2 = 4.57, df = 2, NS) did not approach to statistical significance in outcome. However, the outcome of the low income group patients was significantly better ( X2 = 16.84, df = 2, p < 0.001). Out of 14 (26.92%) patients of first manic episode, only 3 patients showed good response to initial lorazepam treatment (Grade I) and 9 and 2 patients assigned outcome category II and III respectively. Patients with history of multiple episodes had shown better response (X2=11.59, df=1, p<0.001, highly significant). Presence of stressful life events was positively correlated with better response to lorazepam treatment (x2==6.73, df=1, p<0.01 significant). Anxious (avoidant) or dependent traits alone or in combination with emotionally unstable personality traits in manic patients significantly determined better episode recovery with lorazepam at one hand proneness for relapses on the other hand.

Tratamento famacológico da neuralgia do trigêmeo: revisão sistemática e metanálise / Pharmacological treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: systematic review and metanalysis

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A neuralgia do trigêmeo é uma síndrome de dor crônica, caracterizada por paroxismos de dor excruciante que afeta de maneira dramática a qualidade de vida dos pacientes acometidos. A terapia medicamentosa sistêmica é considerada o tratamento de primeira linha para esta doença. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia, a segurança e a tolerabilidade dos diversos tratamentos farmacológicos oferecidos aos pacientes com neuralgia do trigêmeo, visando fornecer evidências para as recomendações da prática clínica e identificar as necessidades de pesquisas adicionais. MÉTODO: Foram analisados ensaios clínicos aleatórios e controlados, publicados até julho de 2003, sobre o efeito analgésico das drogas prescritas no tratamento da neuralgia do trigêmeo. A análise estatística foi realizada com o auxilio do programa Review Manager 4.2.2 (Colaboração Cochrane, 2003). RESULTADOS: Os resultados da metanálise sugerem que a carbamazepina é mais eficaz que o placebo. Em três estudos controlados comparando a lamotrigina, o topiramato e o cloridrato de proparacaína ao placebo, somente a lamotrigina mostrou-se superior a ele. O dextrometafano foi comparado ao lorazepam em baixas doses, havendo aumento da dor com o uso daquele fármaco. Três estudos compararam a carbamazepina com a tizanidina, a tocainida e a pimozida, mostrando-se apenas a pimozida superior à carbamazepina. CONCLUSÕES: A carbamazepina continua como droga de escolha para o tratamento da neuralgia do trigêmeo, estando a lamotrigina e a pimozida indicadas em casos refratários à terapia convencional. Além disso, estudos adicionais são necessários para o estabelecimento de futuras opções terapêuticas.

Lorazepam: an adjuvant therapy in patients with seizure and heliotaxis.

Photosensitive epilepsy is a type of reflex epilepsy. Five percent of epileptics are photosensitive, i.e. they show photoconvulsive response (PCR) during intermittent photic stimulation. Patients with photogenic or photosensitive epilepsy have seizures with flickering light. They also exhibit heliotaxis. Sodium valproate and ethosuximide are the common drugs used. Even though benzodiazepines are useful, the specific effect of lorazepam is not mentioned. We report 5 cases of photosensitive epilepsy with inadequate response to usual antiepileptic drugs who had complete or near complete remission with lorazepam.

Comparison of ondansetron-dexamethasone-lorazepam versus metoclopramide-dexamethasone-lorazepam in the control of cisplatin induced emesis.

The antiemetic effect of ondansetron-dexamethasone-lorazepam versus those of metoclopramide-dexamethasone-lorazepam were evaluated in 30 ovarian cancer patients undergoing treatment with the same chemotherapeutic regimen (cisplatin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 700 mg/m2). Patients were randomly selected to receive either the ondansetron arm or the metoclopramide arm in their first cycle of chemotherapy, but were given an alternative combination in the second cycle. In the ondansetron arm, ondansetron was given 8 mg intravenously (i.v.) plus dexamethasone 20 mg i.v. and lorazepam 0.5 mg oral. For the metoclopramide arm, metoclopramide 10 mg was given i.v. plus dexamethasone 20 mg i.v. and lorazepam 0.5 mg oral. All antiemetics were given twice; 30 minutes before and 6 hours after chemotherapy. In the metoclopramide arm, metoclopramide 40 mg continuous infusion was also administered. During the acute phase, the ondansetron combination was significantly superior to the metoclopramide combination for all evaluation parameters. Complete control of emesis was 90 per cent vs 36.7 per cent, complete protection from nausea was 80 per cent vs 43.3 per cent, and complete protection from both nausea and vomiting was 73.3 per cent vs 30.0 per cent. Forty per cent of patients in the ondansetron arm did not complain of any adverse reaction compared to 13.4 per cent in the metoclopramide arm. It can be concluded, therefore, that a combination of ondansetron, dexamethasone and lorazepam appears to provide a significantly better emetic control with less adverse reaction than the metoclopramide combination in the acute nausea-vomiting phase after receiving cisplatin.

Novos avanços no controle da náusea pós-quimioterapia antineoplásica / New advances in controlling nausea and vomiting related to anticancer chemotherapy

A náusea é um dos efeitos colaterais mais temidos pelos pacientes que se submetem à quimioterapia (QT) antineoplásica. O controle inadequado desta complicaçäo confere significativa morbidade aos pacientes tratados com QT. Com o advento dos antagonistas dos receptores 5-HT, a incidência de náusea e vômito relacionados à quimioterapia (NVQT) diminuiu significativamente. Isso permitiu a administraçäo de regimes altamente emetizantes em nível ambulatorial para a maioria dos pacientes com câncer, melhorando sua qualidade de vida. O uso dessas drogas, entretanto, aumentou sobremaneira os custos do tratamento. Nesta revisäo, abordaremos sumariamente os mecanismos fisiopatológicos da emese, para entäo podermos compreender como atuam as drogas antieméticas atualmente utilizadas na prática oncológica. Discutiremos também os novos rumos da pesquisa clínica nesta área, incluindo estratégias para minimizar o custo desse tratamento

Manejo de las convulsiones febriles: resultados de una encuesta / Mangement of febrile seizures: results of a survey

Una encuesta a neurólogos infantiles y pediatras realizada en la ciudad de Santiago de Chile, sobre el manejo de convulsiones febriles, reveló los siguientes hechos: 1) existe uniformidad de criterio en el manejo de convulsiones febriles complejas (tratamiento con anticonvulsivantes a largo plazo) y primera convulsión febril simple (no tratar), 2) en caso de recurrencia de convulsiones febriles simples, los neurólogos infantiles indican con mayor frecuencia, terapia con anticonvulsivantes a largo plazo (85 por ciento) en relación a pediatras (35 por ciento), 3) el fenobarbital usado por dos años o menos, es el tratamiento de elección, 4) si bien la mayoría de los neurólogos infantiles (75 por ciento) admiten conocer los potenciales efectos indeseables de los barbitúricos, el fenobarbital sigue siendo el medicamento de elección en el manejo profiláctico de convulsiones febriles, 5) sólo una minoría de pediatras y neurólogos infantiles se inclinan por la terapia de diazepan oral o rectal

Status epilepticus: recent experience at the Port of Spain General Hospital, Trinidad

In this retrospective study, experience in status epilepticus (SE) over an 18-month period at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital is reported. Sixty-three episodes in 41 patients were studied. Fifty-one per cent of patients were under 10 years of age. Fifty-one per cent of patients were classified as remote symptomatic, 29 per cent idiopathic, 15 per cent acute symptomatic and 5 per cent febrile. Bolus doses of diazepam were used in 62 of 63 episodes, phenytoin in 18, diazepam infusion in 9, paraldehyde in 12 and phenobarbitone in 9. Seizures were controlled within half-hour of starting treatment in 55 episodes (87 per cent). In 3 episodes in 2 patients (5 per cent), control was poor and exceeded 18 hours. No deaths were recorded. Two neurological deficits and 8 other morbid events were recorded. Mean hospital stay was 2.9 days. No patient was ventilated or admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Current drug therapy is highly effective in SE even in institutions where modern intensive care technology is limited. Prognosis is excellent in patients whom the underlying aetiology is benign.

Eficácia e segurança da buspirona em ensaios clínicos conduzidos no Brasil / Buspirone efficacy and safety in clinical trials conducted in Brazil

Säo analisados os resultados oriundos de 13 ensaios clínicos, realizados no Brasil, com o cloridrato de buspirona, lorazepam, bromazepam e diazepam, envolvendo 1.904 pacientes, no período de 1987 a 1990, no tratamento da ansiedade näo ocasional. Os resultados analisados, quanto a sua especialidade clínica e eficácia terapêutica, demonstram ser a buspirona uma alternativa válida para o manuseio terapêutico da ansiedade patológica. Säo também analisadas as vantagens dos dois grupos de medicamentos utilizados, concluindo-se ser a buspirona a primeira escolha em diversas condiçöes clínicas

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a case report).

An adult schizophrenic patient developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome following treatment with parenteral haloperidol. An early recognition of the syndrome, immediate discontinuation of the offending agent and prompt treatment with bromocriptine and lorazepam produced a good recovery. The various features of the case are discussed in view of the potential lethality of the syndrome.