Eating attitudes of migraine patients in Turkey: a prospective multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a disease characterized by headache attacks. The disease is multifactorial in etiology and genetic and environmental factors play role in pathogenesis. Migraine can also be accompanied by psychiatric disorders like neurotism and obsessive compulsive disorder. Stress, hormonal changes and certain food intake can trigger attacks in migraine. Previous studies showed that eating attitudes and disorders are prevalant in patients with migraine. Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders related to abnormal eating habits. Both migraine and eating disorders are common in young women and personality profiles of these patient groups are also similar. A possible relationship which shows that migraine and eating habits are related can lead to a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and subsequently new therapeutic options on both entities. Association of migraine in relation to severity, depression and anxiety and eating habits and disorders were aimed to be investigated in this study. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, multi-center, case control study. Twenty-one centers from Turkey was involved in the study. The gathered data was collected and evaluated at a single designated center. From a pool of 1200 migraine patients and 958 healthy control group, two groups as patient group and study group was created with PS matching method in relation to age, body-mass index, marital status and employment status. Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were applied to both study groups. The data gathered was compared between two groups. RESULTS: EAT-26 scores and the requirement for referral to a psychiatrist due to symptoms related to eating disorder were both statistically significantly higher in patient group compared to control group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.0001 respectively). Patients with migraine had higher scores in both BDI and BAI compared to control group (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001 respectively). Severity of pain or frequency of attacks were not found to be related to eating attitudes (r:0.09, p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine patients were found to have higher EAT-26, BDI and BAI scores along with a higher rate of referral to a psychiatrist due to symptoms. Results of the study showed that eating habits are altered in migraine patients with higher risk of eating disorders. Depression and anxiety are also found to be common amongst migraine patients.

Migraine and gasdermin D: a new perspective on the inflammatory basis of migraine.

Migraine is a common and disabling primary headache disorder and inflammation is a proposed factor in the complex ethiology of the disease. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a membrane pore-forming protein acting through the caspase system. End result is cell death caused by leakage of intracellular components to extracellular space which also results in inflammation. Stemming from this knowledge, the potential role of GSDMD in migraine was investigated in this prospective study. This prospective study was conducted between September 2022 to April 2023. 47 patients with migraine were designated as the patient group, whereas 47 healthy volunteers were designated as the control group. Serum GSDMD levels of both groups were compared, with an additional comparison between migraine patients during symptom-free and attack periods. Migraine related characteristics of the patients were also included in the study. Median GSDMD levels of the patient and control group did not reveal a significant difference. Nausea, vomiting and severity of headache were found to be correlated with GSDMD levels in migraine patients. Patients with nausea revealed a higher GSDMD level compared to patients without nausea during both symptom-free and attack periods (p = 0.021 and p = 0.01, respectively). Nausea was correlated to higher GSDMD levels in the patient population during symptom-free period (p = 0.030). The severity of pain was positively correlated with GSDMD levels during the attack period (p < 0.001). Gasdermin family and GSDMD in particular are promising prospects for therapy in a wide spectrum of disorders. Gasdermin proteins are candidates to be the focus for future studies both related to pathogenesis and drug therapy in migraine and varying inflammatory-driven clinical pictures.

Crohn's Disease and Herpes Zoster: Being Mindful of Vaccination.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Immunosuppressive therapy is the main treatment modality in Crohn's disease. Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by Varicella-zoster virus, is a relatively common albeit burdensome clinical picture mainly affecting adult population with immunosuppressive status. In this paper, we aimed to report a Crohn's disease patient with HZ to raise awareness on vaccination. There are commercially available vaccines that are shown to be safe and effective against HZ reactivation. Crohn's disease patients should be evaluated and informed about preventive options against HZ to prevent unwanted HZ-related complications.

Olfactory Bulb Volume and Morphology Changes in COVID-19 Patients With Olfactory Disorders Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study are to explore the morphological changes of olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory sulcus in COVID-19 patients with associated olfactory dysfunction (OD) by measuring the OB volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD) and to compare the measurement values with those of healthy individuals. METHODS: Between March 2020 and January 2022, 31 consecutive hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 with anosmia and hyposmia who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and 35 normosmic control individuals were retrospectively included in the study. Bilateral OBV and OSD were measured and shape of the OB was determined based on the consensus by a neuroradiologist and an otorrhynolaryngologist. RESULTS: The mean measurements for the right and the left sides for OBV (38 ± 8.5 and 37.1 ± 8.4, respectively) and OSD (7.4 ± 0.1 and 7.4 ± 1.0 mm, respectively) were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients with OD than those in control group (for the right and the left sides mean OBV 56.3 ± 17.1 and 49.1 ± 13.5, respectively, and mean OSD 9.6 ± 0.8 and 9.4 ± 0.8 mm, respectively). Abnormally shaped OB (lobulated, rectangular, or atrophic) were higher in patient group than those of controls.For the optimal cutoff values, OBV showed sensitivity and specificity values of 90.32% and, 57.14%, for the right, and 87.1% and 62.86% for the left side, respectively (area under the curve, 0.819 and 0.780). Olfactory sulcus depth showed sensitivity and specificity values of 90.32% and 94.29%, for the right, and 96.77% and 85.71%, for the left side, respectively (area under the curve, 0.960 and 0.944). CONCLUSIONS: Decrease in OBV and OSD measurements in COVID-19 patients with OD at the early chronic stage of the disease supports direct damage to olfactory neuronal pathways and may be used to monitor olfactory nerve renewal while returning back to normal function.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and white matter lesions in patients with migraine.

BACKGROUND/AIM: White matter lesions (WML) are more frequently observed in migraine patients than in the average population. Associations between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and different extraintestinal pathologies have been identified. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and WML in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 526 subjects with a diagnosis of episodic migraine. Hyperintensity of WML had been previously evaluated in these patients with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Previous endoscopic gastric biopsy histopathological examination of the same patients and reports on H. pylori findings were recorded. The demographic characteristics of the patients, such as age, gender and chronic systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) were recorded. Statistical evaluation was made. RESULTS: Evaluation was made among 526 migraine patients who met the inclusion criteria, comprising 397 (75.5%) females and 129 (24.5%) males with a mean age of 45.57 ± 13.46 years (range, 18-69 years). WML was detected on brain MRI in 178 (33.8%) patients who were also positive for H. pylori (p <  0.05). Subjects who are H. pylori-positive with migraine, WML were observed at a 2.5-fold higher incidence on brain MRI (odds ratio: 2.562, 95% CI 1.784-3.680). WML was found to be more significant in patients with hypertension and migraine than those without (p <  0.001). Older age was also found to be associated with WML (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.04, p <  0.001). The age (p <  0.001), H. pylori (p <  0.001), hypertension (p <  0.001), and hypertension + DM (p <  0.05), had significant associations in predicting WML according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The presence of hypertension had a higher odds ratio value than the other variables. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that H. pylori infection, as a chronic infection, can be considered a risk factor in developing WML in subjects with migraine.

Effect of Liver Transplant on Neurologic Manifestations and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Wilson Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism. It leads to copper accumulation in various organs (liver, eye, brain) and deteriorates their functions. Symptoms usually appear in the second and third decades of life. Neurologic symptoms and manifestations may appear 2 to 5 years after liver involvement, and neurologic symptoms are usually movement disorders. The main treatment objective is to decrease accumulation of copper by increasing urinary copper excretion. With early diagnosis and treatment, the quality of life of patients with Wilson disease evolves. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of liver transplant on neurologic manifestations and radiologic findings in patients with Wilson disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1988, our center has performed 642 liver transplant procedures. Fifty-three patients with Wilson disease received a liver transplant during this period, with 15 adults patients included in our study. All study patients were evaluated by the same neurologist and radiologist. Tremor was scored by the glass scale test. Radiologic evaluations were made by cranial magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Before liver transplant, 4/15 study patients had tremor. In 1 patient, tremor was accompanied by dystonia; the patient's imaging findings and neurologic manifestations had regressed posttransplant. In the other 3 study patients with tremor, tremor decreased without any change in imaging findings. New-onset tremor was seen in 1 patient after liver transplant, but this patient had no observed imaging changes. This situation was correlated with immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic recovery can be achieved in patients with Wilson disease with early diagnosis and treatment. Radiologic findings can be improved after therapy.

Evaluation of Neuroimaging Findings of Central Nervous System Complications in Heart Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we presented neuroradiologic findings and diagnoses of neurologic complications in a series of heart transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted at Baskent University Hospital. We searched the hospital and radiology databases and identified 109 heart transplant recipients. Thirty-one of these recipients had neuroradiologic evaluations secondary to presentation of neurologic symptoms after heart transplant, with 18 patients evaluated with computed tomography and 22 patients evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (overlap of imaging-defined groups occurred in 9 recipients). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies were retrieved from the Picture Archiving and Communication System, with each type of imaging retrospectively evaluated on consensus by 2 radiologists. RESULTS: Radiopathologic findings related to symptoms were detected in 12 of the 31 study patients. The most common abnormality was posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (5 patients, 4.6%). The other abnormalities were ischemic stroke (3 patients, 2.8%), hemorrhagic stroke (1 patient, 0.9%), intracranial abscess (2 patients, 1.8%), and intracranial dissemination of sinusoidal fungal infection and related hemorrhagic infarct (1 patient, 0.9%). The other 19 heart transplant recipients who underwent computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging for neurologic complaints showed no neuroradiologic findings related to neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome and ischemic stroke were the most common neurologic complications in our heart transplant recipients. The other complications were hemorrhagic stroke, intracranial abscess, and intracranial dissemination of sinusoidal fungal infection. Neurologic complications are common in heart transplant recipients and should be identified promptly for early treatment. For the recognition of these complications, computed tomography should be performed for initial evaluation to rule out edema or hemorrhage. However, in the presence of serious neurologic symptoms that cannot be explained by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging should be indicated.

Restless leg syndrome frequency in health workers.

Introduction - Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disease, primarily composed of sensational symptoms, caused by the urge to move lower extremities especially at night, and characterized by undesired feelings of the legs. Decreasing of the dopaminergic effect at night is thought to be responsible from these symptoms. RLS patients suffer from low quality of sleep affecting their daily life activities even causing socio-economic loss. Although RLS is a common and treatable disease, it can not be diagnosed easily due to the variability of symptoms. Aim - The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of RLS among health workers and to define the disease causing factors. Method - A questionnaire was applied to 174 randomly selected health workers at Baskent University Medical Faculty (KA17/285). The demographic information, history of illnesses or usage of drugs, socioeconomic status, working hours and daytime sleepiness were questioned. Included in the questionnaire were diagnostic criteria for RLS, frequency assessment scale, and survey of sleep quality. We used "the diagnostic criteria of international RLS working group" for the diagnosis, and "Pittsburgh sleep quality index survey" to determine the quality of sleep. Reliability and validity studies were performed on both tests. Results - A significant relationship between socio-economic status and RLS was found (p<0.05) as an increase of RLS frequency in parallel with decreased socio-economic status. RLS was found to be common among health workers. We suggest that health workers should be checked regularly, and they should be informed about the disease in order to raise an awareness and hence increase their quality of life.

Complications of Liver Transplant in Adult Patients With the Hepatic Form of Wilson Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Wilson disease is an autosomal, recessive, inherited disorder of copper metabolism that results in the accumulation of copper in many organs and tissues. This disease is mainly characterized by dysfunction due to copper accumulation in the liver, kidney, brain, cornea, bone, heart, and blood cells. The clinical spectrum is broad in Wilson disease. Asymptomatic Wilson disease may be present, but findings related to the involvement of an individual organ or multiple organ failure can be seen. These findings can include neurologic and neuropsychiatric complications. Our aim here was to examine the neurologic complications and our clinical experience in patients who underwent liver transplant for Wilson disease in our clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of transplant patients with Wilson disease who were seen at Baskent University Faculty of Medicine Transplantation Science between 2005 and 2017. Patient demographics, neurologic complaints, findings from neurologic examinations, and imaging findings were recorded. We also recorded the presence of the Kayser-Fleischer ring, serum ceruloplasmin, 24-hour copper urine levels, and levels of dry copper in liver in each patient. RESULTS: Our study included 19 patients who ranged in age range from 18 to 44 years (mean age of 26 years). Seven of 19 patients (36.8%) had neurologic symptoms, including epileptic seizures in 2 patients (10.5%), encephalopathy in 1 patient (5.2%), tremor in 3 patients (15.7%), and headache in 1 patient (5.2%). The cause of these long-term neurologic complications was the immunosuppressive drugs. Patients with epileptic seizures were provided with seizure control medication (levetiracetam). Tremor did not need treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In Wilson disease, neurologic complications can be severe. The most common complication seen in our patients was tremor. Early diagnosis and treatment may slow down neurologic disability.

Relationship between white matter hyperintensities and retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and ganglion cell layer thickness in migraine patients.

Aim To compare the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on brain magnetic resonance imaging and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), choroid, and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses in migraine patients and healthy subjects. We also assessed the role of cerebral hypoperfusion in the formation of these WMH lesions. Methods We enrolled 35 migraine patients without WMH, 37 migraine patients with WMH, and 37 healthy control subjects examined in the Neurology outpatient clinic of our tertiary center from May to December 2015. RFNL, choroid, and GCL thicknesses were measured by optic coherence tomography. Results There were no differences in the RFNL, choroid, or GCL thicknesses between migraine patients with and without WMH ( p > 0.05). Choroid layer thicknesses were significantly lower in migraine patients compared to control subjects ( p < 0.05), while there were no differences in RFNL and GCL thicknesses ( p > 0.05). Conclusions The 'only cerebral hypoperfusion' theory was insufficient to explain the pathophysiology of WMH lesions in migraine patients. In addition, the thinning of the choroid thicknesses in migraine patients suggests a potential causative role for cerebral hypoperfusion and decreased perfusion pressure of the choroid layer.

The clinico-radiological spectrum of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome in adults.

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is characterized by cerebral hemiatrophy, seizure, contralateral hemiplegia/hemiparesis, and mental retardation. In this study, clinical and radiological investigations of seven patients who were diagnosed with DDMS as adult age were evaluated and discussed. Seven patients (four male, three female) were included. The mean age ± SD of the patients was 46 ± 21 years. Clinical presentation of six patients was epileptic seizure. One patient was presented with head trauma due to a fall. Two patients had complex partial seizures, three patients had generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTC), and one had GTC and myoclonic seizure. Mental retardation was in five patients. A congenital cause was detected in one patient in the etiologic investigation and acquired causes in two patients. In four patients, the etiology was not identified. We observed left-hemisphere involvement in four patients and right-hemisphere involvement in three patients. Brain imaging was performed by CT only in four patients and by MRI only in three patients. All patients were diagnosed with DDMS at adulthood. Atrophy in basal ganglia was detected in five patients, and atrophy in brain stem in four patients. Calvarial thickening was observed in four patients. Three patients had hyperpneumatization in mastoid cells. Sinus hyperpneumatization, including the paranasal and frontal sinuses, was seen in six patients. DDMS can also be diagnosed in adulthood symptomatically (mild-severe) or asymptomatically in adulthood. As a result, DDMS is a syndrome with wide clinical and radiological spectra that can be variably symptomatic at different stages of life.

Prevalence and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Neurologic complications are common after kidney and liver transplant. Neurologic complications affect mortality and morbidity in transplant recipients, and neuropathic pain is an important symptom affecting a patient's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to provide readers with our experience regarding causes and treatment of neuropathic pain in patients undergoing kidney and liver transplant at our transplantation center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical data of 553 kidney transplant recipients and 258 liver transplant recipients who received transplant procedures at the Baskent University Transplantation Center between 2008 and May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-one patients who were examined by an expert neurologist and diagnosed with neuropathic pain on the basis of clinical, neurologic examination, and laboratory findings were included for analyses. RESULTS: Among 811 transplant recipients, 51 patients (6.2%) were diagnosed with neuropathic pain. Of these, 22 were female and 38 were male patients, and 42 were kidney transplant recipients and 9 were liver transplant recipients. Causes of neuropathic pain included uremia, diabetes mellitus, ischemic peripheral arterial disease, inflammatory neuropathy, vasculitis, discopathy, postherpetic neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple myeloma. Patients with symptoms too mild to affect daily life activities were treated conservatively. Plasmapheresis, gabapentin, pregabalin, alpha-lipoic acid, and duloxetine were administered as treatment modalities and medications. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropathic pain was lower in our transplant recipients than in the general population. Treatment medications were effective for transplant recipients at lower doses for the management of neuropathic pain impairing quality of life than doses for the general population.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as an initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder which is diagnosed with its characteristic clinical and radiological findings, typically resolves with treatment. The prevalence of PRES in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is not exactly known. A systemic disorder frequently appears as a presenting symptom in SLE. However, in rare cases, the disease starts with a neurological manifestation. Here we report a 35-year-old woman presenting with a headache and blurred vision. She had neurologic symptoms and cerebral lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggesting PRES. The patient was diagnosed with SLE during the etiological investigation of PRES. In this article, we aimed to emphasize that PRES as an initial presentation of SLE.

The frequency of buccopalpebral reflex in Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to define the frequency of a primitive reflex, the buccopalpebral reflex (BPR), and its association with the clinical situation in patients with Parkinson disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2010 and May 2011, 222 patients, 115 with Parkinson disease and 107 patients without any sign of neurodegenerative disease, were included in the study. All included patients were examined for BPR and snout reflex and were also evaluated with the Mini Mental State Examination. All patients with Parkinson disease were classified with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr Score to determine their clinical severity. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with Parkinson disease (13.9%) had a BPR (+) and 4 patients in the control group (3.7%) (P < 0.001). The UPDRS score, UPDRS daily life activities score, and UPDRS motor system score were all higher in the group with BPR (+). All patients with a BPR also had a positive snout reflex. CONCLUSION: BPR is more frequent in patients with Parkinson disease than in patients without a neurodegenerative disease.

Epilepsy After Heart Transplant: A Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac transplant is the best treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure. Neurologic complications occur at a rate of 30% to 80% in patients undergoing cardiac transplant. Seizures occur at a rate of 2% to 20%. The main causative factors include immunosuppressant drug toxicity, infections, brain lesions, and metabolic disorders. Here, our aim was to determine seizure types and associated conditions in patients undergoing cardiac transplant and to report our treatment experience at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 109 patients who underwent cardiac transplant between 2004 and 2016. We recorded demographic data, immunosuppressive treatment, seizure type, cause, recurrence rate, and treatment. RESULTS: Of 109 patients, 13 had seizures after cardiac transplant. Our study involved 69 adult and 40 pediatric patients. The pediatric patients had an age range of 1 to 17 years, with a mean age of 9.6 years (22 female and 18 male patients). Five pediatric patients had seizures (4 female and 1 male patient). The seizure causes included 2 postarrest hypoxic encephalopathies and 3 posterior reversible encephalopathies. Adult patients ranged from 18 to 63 years old, with a mean age of 42.3 years (54 male and 15 female patients). Eight patients in the adult patient group had seizures (5 female and 3 male patients). Seizure causes were ischemic cerebrovascular events in 2 patients, metabolic disorders in 2, posterior reversible encephalopathies in 3, and postarrest hypoxic brain in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Seizure is an important complication after cardiac transplant. At our institution, the most common cause of seizure was posterior reversible encephalopathy, with immunosuppressant drugs being responsible.

A Rare Cause of a Cerebrovascular Accident in a Renal Transplant Recipient: Corpus Callosum Infarction.

Renal transplantation is a life-saving procedure in patients with end-stage renal failure. Advanced surgical procedures and enhanced perioperative care favorably affect the progression of the disease. Despite these advances, neurological complications are important sources of mortality and morbidity. The rate of neurological complications after renal transplantation has been reported as 10-21% by various studies. Here we report a case with corpus callosum infarction in a 39-year-old renal transplant recipient.

Neurologic Complications After Cardiac Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac transplant is the best available therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. Neurologic complications occur at a rate of 30% to 70% in patients undergoing cardiac transplant, and they affect mortality and morbidity of these patients. Risk factors for neurologic complications include immunosuppressive medication toxicity, infections, brain lesions, and metabolic disorders. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of neurologic complications in adult patients undergoing cardiac transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 70 patients who underwent cardiac transplant between 2004 and April 2016. We recorded the demographic data, neurologic symptoms, neurologic examination findings, laboratory test results, brain imaging study results, and treatments received of the patients. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients enrolled, 55 were male and 15 were female patients. The age range was 18 to 63 years, and the mean age was 42.4 years. Twelve patients had encephalopathy, 4 had neuropathic pain, 3 had tremor, 2 had ischemic cerebrovascular accident, 7 had posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and 1 had drop foot. Encephalopathy usually developed secondary to other neurologic disorders. The incidence of neurologic complications in adult patients undergoing cardiac transplant was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic complications are common after cardiac transplant. We observed an incidence of 30% for neurologic complications in our clinic, with encephalopathy being the most common complication. Encephalopathy most commonly developed secondary to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Comparison of brain MRI angiography and brain MRI cisternography in patients with hemifacial spasm.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the ability of brain magnetic resonance imaging angiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging cisternography of showing the neurovascular contiguity of the facial nerve in patients with hemifacial spasm. METHOD: This study included a total of 35 patients (28 females, 7 males), with an average age of 57.5 ± 13.8 years, who presented to our outpatient clinic of movement disorders. All patients were prospectively applied brain magnetic resonance imaging angiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging cisternography, and the results were evaluated by a radiologist who was blind to study protocol. RESULTS: The study included 35 patients, of whom 28 (80 %) were female and 7 (20 %) were male. Brain magnetic resonance imaging angiography demonstrated facial nerve compression of vascular origin in 5 (14.3 %) patients presenting with the clinical presentation of hemifacial spasm. Neurovascular compression of facial nerve was shown by brain magnetic resonance imaging cisternography in 13 (37.1 %) patients. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found between brain magnetic resonance imaging angiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging cisternography techniques in detecting a compressive interaction causing hemifacial spasm between facial nerve and adjacent vascular structures (p > 0.05).

Aspirin resistance in cerebrovascular disease and the role of glycoprotein IIIa polymorphism in Turkish stroke patients.

Aspirin resistance occurs in 5-45% of high-risk patients, with various mechanisms proposed for its development. This study aimed to determine the relationships among aspirin resistance, aspirin dosage, type of aspirin and glycoprotein IIIa P1A1/A2 polymorphism in patients with vascular risk factors. Two hundred and eight (75 symptomatic, 133 asymptomatic) patients with vascular risk factors who were using aspirin for primary or secondary prevention were prospectively included. The symptomatic group was further classified into two groups according to aspirin use at the time of stroke. Aspirin resistance was measured by the PFA-100 system (collagen/epinephrine cartridge) and glycoprotein IIIa P1A1/A2 polymorphism was determined by PCR. The overall prevalence of aspirin resistance was 32.2%. The mean age of patients with aspirin resistance was significantly higher than that in those who did not have resistance (P = 0.009). The prevalence of aspirin resistance was similar for the symptomatic and asymptomatic under aspirin therapy groups. The resistance rate was found to be highest with 100 mg enteric-coated preparation use (39.3%). Increasing the aspirin dosage and/or shifting to uncoated preparations caused a change in aspirin sensitivity of 36-60%. Repeated measurements showed development of aspirin resistance in 14% of patients who were sensitive to aspirin in previous measurements. Glycoprotein IIIaP1A1/A2 polymorphism, aspirin resistance and development of atherothrombotic stroke were not significantly related. The effect of aspirin can change by time, dosage and type of preparation used. There are no relationships among glycoprotein IIIa P1A1/A2 polymorphism, aspirin resistance and development of atherothrombotic stroke.