[A severe, reversible encephalopathy after prolonged use of valproic acid]. / Ernstige, reversibele encefalopathie bij langdurig valproïnezuurgebruik.

Valproic acid is an effective mood stabilizer, registered for the treatment of bipolar disorder and epilepsy. Side effects of valproic acid are transient and generally well tolerated. A rare side effect is a valproic acid-induced encephalopathy. We saw a case of valproic acid-induced encephalopathy without hyperammonemia in a 71-year-old woman. She had used valproic acid as a mood stabilizer over the course of 16 years for a bipolar I disorder. The following clinical symptoms were observed: staring eye contact, somnolence, disorientation, hypotenacity, bradyfrenia, mutism and akathisia. Severe extrapyramidal symptoms were observed during neurological examination as well as hyperreflexia, a snoutreflex on both sides and a right-sided palmomental reflex. After cessation of the valproic acid, her symptoms disappeared completely. Based on this case report, we discuss the clinical aspects, pathophysiology, recognition and treatment of valproic acid-induced encephalopathy, both with and without hyperammonemia.

[Wernicke encephalopathy]. / Wernicke-encefalopathie.

Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute neuropsychiatric disease with heterogeneous symptoms, including changes in mental status, ataxia and ocular abnormalities; if left untreated, these symptoms can lead to morbidity and even to mortality. The treatment is thiamine suppletion. Because of the heterogeneity of the symptoms and the high risk of morbidity and mortality if the symptoms are not treated, it is vitally important that on observing a patient's early symptoms the clinician immediately suspects that the symptoms could point to Wernicke encephalopathy.

[Bizarre somatic complaints as a manifestation of schizophrenia]. / Bizarre lichamelijke klachten als uiting van een schizofrene stoornis.

Three patients, men aged 50 and 32 and a woman aged 30 years, presented with bizarre somatic symptoms, i.e. that are anatomically and physiologically impossible. The first patient, for instance, thought that he could only walk while holding his forehead back with his hand; the woman thought that the skin of her neck and back was disconnected from the underlying tissues. The patients were preoccupied with their complaints and could not be convinced that there was no organic substrate for their symptoms. The presented patients had coenesthetic symptoms of schizophrenia: disturbances in the awareness of their bodily integrity. These symptoms occur frequently in patients with schizophrenia, but have not received much attention in medical literature. The patient's visit to a somatic or general physician is a good opportunity to refer him or her for adequate psychiatric treatment.

Treatment of bipolar depression, a review of the literature and a suggestion for an algorithm.

A review of the methodology and results of 9 controlled studies on the acute treatment of bipolar depression and the risk of switches into (hypo)mania is presented. There are indications but no proof for efficacy of mood stabilizers such as lithium, carbamazepine and valproate. Only lamotrigine has been shown to be effective, with a relative low risk of switching. Several antidepressants appear effective as well, but again there is no (placebo-controlled) proof of their efficacy. The only exception is tranylcypromine which has been found to be more effective than imipramine. The switch ratio into (hypo)mania by tricyclic antidepressants seems to be higher than by several other antidepressants, especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In the acute treatment of bipolar depression, it is recommended to start with a mood stabilizer, and to add an antidepressant after 4-6 weeks in case of nonresponse. In severer cases, one might consider to start earlier with the combination of a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant, and in refractory patients, there is a place for tranylcypromine. In the maintenance treatment, there are indications that the combined treatment of a mood stabilizer (mostly lithium) and an antidepressant (TCA) is associated with an increased risk of switches into (hypo)mania, when compared to a mood stabilizer alone. Therefore, it is recommended to try whether a monotherapy with a mood stabilizer is effective, before combining it with an antidepressant.

HIV seropositivity and tuberculosis in a large general hospital in Malawi.

The incidence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Malawi is one of the highest in Central Africa. Since tuberculosis is an important initial manifestations of the disease, consecutive patients admitted to the tuberculosis (TB) wards of Zomba General Hospital, Malawi, were asked for permission to undergo a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-antibodies test. In addition, two other studies were done: from September 1986 all medical in-patients, clinically suspected for immune deficiency and from April 1988 all blood donors were tested for HIV seropositivity. Seventy-five percent of the TB patients volunteered; 32 out of 125 (26%) were seropositive. In the high-risk age groups (20-40 years) this percentage rose to 32. Among the medical in-patients suspected of immune deficiency the seropositivity rose sharply from April 1987 to October 1988. Among the blood donors tested, 20% were seropositive.

HIV seropositivity and tuberculosis in a large general hospital in Malawi

The incidence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Malawi is one of the highest in Central Africa. Since tuberculosis is an important initial manifestations of the disease; consecutive patients admitted to the tuberculosis (TB) wards of Zomba General Hospital; Malawi; were asked for permission to undergo a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-antibodies test. In addition; two other studies were done: from September 1986 all medical in-patients; clinically suspected for immune deficiency and from April 1988 all blood donors were tested for HIV seropositivity. Seventy-five percent of the TB patients volunteered; 32 out of 125 (26 percent ) were seropositive. In the high-risk age groups (20-40 years) this percentage rose to 32. Among the medical in-patients suspected of immune deficiency the seropositivity rose sharply from April 1987 to October 1988. Among the blood donors tested; 20 percent were seropositive