Computed Tomography-Guided Lumbar Puncture: Advantages and Disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) guidance in difficult lumbar puncture (LP) cases, which had a history of at least one unsuccessful blind attempt at LP (no imaging guidance), and to note potential advantages and disadvantages of the use of CT guidance. METHODS: In total, 32 CT-guided LP procedures performed between June 2019 and March 2021 were included. All LP indications were recorded. The procedures where the cerebrospinal fluid flow was provided by a single puncture were evaluated as "primary technical success." "Secondary technical success" corresponded with the procedures in which additional puncture was necessary for the cerebrospinal fluid flow. RESULTS: Intrathecal nusinersen injections due to spinal muscular atrophy constituted the largest procedure group of this study. Among 32 procedures, primary and secondary technical success rates were 78.12% and 28.57%, respectively. There were no major procedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography-guided LP is an effective interventional technique offering an alternative approach in the setting of difficult LP procedures.

The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among Turkish patients with primary headache

Background/aim: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common in patients with primary headache. However, no study has been reported in which standardized modalities were questioned in a Turkish population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of CAM use and factors related to it in these patients. Materials and methods: Patients with a diagnosis of primary headache were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Demographic and disease specific characteristics were recorded. The use and effect of 15 CAM modalities were evaluated in accordance with the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Regulations. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their use of CAM procedures. Logistic regression analysis was further performed to assess the association between CAM use and related factors. Results: One hundred twenty patients [101 (84.2%) female, mean age 38.20 ± 12.24 years] were included. Use of CAM was reported in 33.3% of the patients. The most frequently used CAM modalities were phytotherapy (37.5%), cupping (27.5%), and chiropractic adjustment (17.5%). Compared with nonusers, CAM users showed a longer duration of disease (respectively mean 5.68 ± 4.96 years and 10.97 ± 8.57 years, p = 0.000). There were no differences with respect to age, sex, education, presence of systemic disease, headache subtypes, number of headache days in a month, or headache severity. Patients who underwent cupping reported that they benefited more than those who tried phytotherapy and multiple CAM methods (respectively 45.5%, 33.3%, 16.6%, p = 0.039). Subsequently, the logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between only disease duration and CAM use [respectively p value, OR (95% CI), and confidence intervals = 0.002 (1.143 (1.050­1.243)]. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Turkish patients with primary headache, especially those with long disease duration, use CAM modalities. Larger population-based studies are required to clarify the safety and efficacy of these methods.

Electroencephalogram abnormalities in patients with NREM parasomnias.

OBJECTIVE: Electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in patients with NREM parasomnias (NRP) occur in sleep architecture as changes in slow wave sleep or cyclic pattern, which are not considered abnormal. However, abnormalities in EEG in these patients have recently been reported, indicating that EEG patterns in NRPs are not definitive. Moreover, most of the polysomnography (PSG) findings in NRP patients were reported in the adult population requiring data from pediatric population to avoid bias in conclusion. METHODS: In sum, 39 patients with a NRP were undergone comprehensive assessments including a PSG with additional EEG montages. EEG recordings were evaluated in patients without a history of epilepsy and further compared between pediatric and adult patients. RESULTS: Twenty-three (59%) of the patients were pediatric and 77% were male. The mean age was 18.4 (±13.1) years. Of the patients, 19 (49%) had somnambulism, 13 (33%) had confusional arousal and seven (18%) had sleep terrors. Macrostructure of sleep detected by PSG was normal in all patients. After excluding 11 (28%) patients with a positive history of epilepsy, seven (25%) of 28 showed EEG abnormalities within K-complexes in NREM-II stage, six of whom were pediatric patients compared to only one adult (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that patients with NRP may display EEG abnormalities in NREM-II stage. These abnormalities were more frequent in pediatric patients compared to adults. In NRP patients, utmost care should be taken in EEG evaluations to prevent false diagnosis of epilepsy.

The Level of Knowledge of Parkinson's Disease among Nonprofessional Caregivers in a Movement Disorders Center in Turkey.

Introduction. Only a few studies have been conducted to determine the level of knowledge among caregivers about Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the current study was to determine the knowledge of PD among caregivers at a movement disorder clinic in Turkey. Methods. We conducted a questionnaire based interview with the subjects in a tertiary care neurology facility in Turkey. The questions were divided into two parts covering the symptomatology and treatment of PD. A questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was applied to the subjects who had to mark the correct option in a stipulated time. Results. Eighty caregivers were included in the study. The caregivers' mean age was 47.94 years (SD = 12.40). There were 47 female caregivers (58.8%). The most well-known question was that the number of drugs given to the patient may vary with time (76.3%), whereas "the benefit noted in the patient's treatment decreases over time" was the least known question (11.3%). Discussion. This study is the first in our country and shows the necessity to increase the knowledge of PD among caregivers and the public. Education programs may have a positive role in imparting knowledge to the caregivers of PD patients.