My Approach to Preservation Rhinoplasty.

Preservation rhinoplasty entails the preservation of the supportive ligaments, preservation of the cartilage structure, and preserving the anatomy of the nasal dorsum. The preservation methods I use are described in this article.

QT interval alterations in epilepsy: A thorough investigation between epilepsy subtypes.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac disturbances and rhythm abnormalities which potentially lead sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, have been extensively studied in focal epilepsies. However, studies including generalized epilepsies are scarce and it is not clear whether electrocardiogram parameters reflecting vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias differ between these groups. METHODS: Medical records of patients who were followed in epilepsy department of a tertiary center between October 2015 and September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. 66 generalized and 64 focal epilepsy patients with eligible electrophysiological data were analyzed. QTc interval, QTcd and other electrocardiographic indices were compared between patients with focal vs generalized epilepsy. Another analysis was performed in order to disclose any difference between patients with epilepsy (n:130) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. A two-tailed p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was no difference in terms of QTc and QTcd between patients with focal and generalized epilepsy [median: 406 ms vs 404 ms, p = 0.119; and median: 46 ms vs 44 ms, p = 0.497, respectively]. However patients with epilepsy were found to have longer QTc and QTcd when compared to ones with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (p = 0.035 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Current findings demonstrate that patients with epilepsy have longer QTc and QTcd than patients with pure psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Since there was no difference between patients with focal and generalized epilepsy; QTc interval, QTcd and potential susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias as a result, could be a consequence of epilepsy itself regardless of origin.

Headache in idiopathic/genetic epilepsy: Cluster analysis in a large cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The link between headache and epilepsy is more prominent in patients with idiopathic/genetic epilepsy (I/GE). We aimed to investigate the prevalence of headache and to cluster patients with regard to their headache and epilepsy features. METHODS: Patients aged 6-40 years, with a definite diagnosis of I/GE, were consecutively enrolled. The patients were interviewed using standardized epilepsy and headache questionnaires, and their headache characteristics were investigated by experts in headache. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed, and patients were clustered according to their epilepsy and headache characteristics using an unsupervised K-means algorithm. RESULTS: Among 809 patients, 508 (62.8%) reported having any type of headache; 87.4% had interictal headache, and 41.2% had migraine. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct groups for both adults and children/adolescents. In adults, subjects having a family history of headache, ≥5 headache attacks, duration of headache ≥ 24 months, headaches lasting ≥1 h, and visual analog scale scores > 5 were grouped in one cluster, and subjects with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) were clustered in this group (Cluster 1). Self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and epilepsy with GTCS alone were clustered in Cluster 2 with the opposite characteristics. For children/adolescents, the same features as in adult Cluster 1 were clustered in a separate group, except for the presence of JME syndrome and GTCS alone as a seizure type. Focal seizures were clustered in another group with the opposite characteristics. In the entire group, the model revealed an additional cluster, including patients with the syndrome of GTCS alone (50.51%), with ≥5 attacks, headache lasting >4 h, and throbbing headache; 65.66% of patients had a family history of headache in this third cluster (n = 99). SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with I/GE can be clustered into distinct groups according to headache features along with seizures. Our findings may help in management and planning for future studies.

Key Points in Subperichondrial-Subperiosteal Dissection.

"Subperichondrial-subperiosteal dissection technique (SSDT) decreases soft tissue injury to a minimum by protecting soft tissues from dissection and retraction traumas. The fact remains that dissecting the perichondrium of the nasal tip cartilages is not effortless. Cartilages may be harmed if dissection is not initiated at the right location. The aforementioned surgeons have routinely used the SSDT between the years 2008 and 2019 in more than 4000 rhinoplasties. The number of the surgeons making use of the SSDT will increase with the understanding of the key points in dissection, their ordering, and use of correct instrumentation."

Adjunctive lacosamide treatment for adult focal-onset epilepsy: focus on comorbid intellectual/developmental disorders and differing responses.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding lacosamide treatment as an adjunctive therapy in patients representative of a focal-onset epilepsy population including those with and without intellectual/developmental disorders (IDDs) are limited. PURPOSE: To evaluate the retention rates of lacosamide in focal-onset epilepsy patients with and without IDD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive electronic and paper medical records of patients diagnosed with focal-onset epilepsy who were treated with lacosamide in two tertiary epilepsy centers. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six patients who met the inclusion criteria were studied. Number of patients with IDD was 46 (33.8%). Median lacosamide dose was 300 mg/day. A total of 39 patients (28.7%) experienced side effects, and 22 of them (16.2%) discontinued lacosamide. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year retention rates of lacosamide in patients with IDD were 68%, 62%, and 53%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the retention rates were significantly lower in patients with IDD when compared to patients without IDD (P=0.04). Cox regression analysis showed that concomitant use of sodium channel blocker antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) was the only independent predictor of retention rate of lacosamide treatment (P=0.03). In the subgroup of patients with IDD, the analysis was performed again and the number of background AEDs was the only predictor for the retention rate of lacosamide (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: When compared to patients without IDD, retention rates of lacosamide adjunctive therapy were lower in patients with IDD. However, these rates were higher than the rates suggested with previously registered AEDs including lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and topiramate. Therefore, irrespective of having comorbid IDD, we might suggest that lacosamide is a well-retained drug with a high efficacy profile in patients with focal-onset epilepsy.

Efficacy, tolerability, and retention rates of zonisamide in older adult patients with focal-onset epilepsy: Experiences from two tertiary epilepsy centers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and retention rates for zonisamide (ZNS) in older adult patients with focal-onset epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chart reviews of patients aged 60years and older with focal-onset epilepsy treated with ZNS in two tertiary epilepsy centers were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (41 males, 44 females) aged over 60years (range: 60-81) with focal-onset epilepsy treated with ZNS were identified; 55.3% of the patients (n=47) were on monotherapy. The median and average doses of ZNS doses were 200mg/day (range: 100-400) and 212.9±84.2mg/day, respectively. With ZNS treatment, 67.1% of the patients (n=57) were seizure-free for a median of 28months (range: 10-56) whereas 20% (n=17) of the patients had seizures that were unresponsive to ZNS treatment. Best seizure control was achieved in patients with poststroke epilepsy; seizure freedom was 80% in this subgroup. Overall retention rate was found to be 83.5%. There was no significant relation between receiving poly- or monotherapy and discontinuation of ZNS (p=0.18). Thirty-two of the patients (37.6%) lost weight. Median weight loss was 8kg (range: 2-16). There was no significant correlation between weight loss and the administered doses of ZNS (r=0.34; p=0.12). CONCLUSION: Despite limitations due to the retrospective design of the study, the results show that ZNS is a well-retained drug with high efficacy in older adult patients with epilepsy.

Dural carotico-cavernous fistula: pre and postembolization appearances of bone-subtracted CT angiography.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the best method of evaluating carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF). DSA, however, has the disadvantage of being an invasive procedure. Computerized tomography (CT) angiography which is noninvasive, have been shown to provide more information about the size and location of fistulas. As a new method, Bone-Subtraction CT Angiography (BSCTA), than conventional CT angiography, is a method that improves the detection and interpretation of vascular lesions near to the cavernous segment of carotid artery. In this case report, we report a case of a dural carotico-cavernous fistula (CCF), appearances of pre and postembolization BSCTA images, confirmed by on DSA. As far as we know, CCF demonstrated by BSCTA has not been reported yet.

Analysis of 24-hour heart rate variations in patients with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drugs.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study described here was to evaluate interictal heart rate variability (HRV) in young patients with epilepsy, a patient population in whom sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is known to be more common. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory ECG Holter recordings of 37 patients (15-40 years old) and 32 healthy controls were compared. RESULTS: All of the time domain indices (SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and HRV triangular index) were significantly suppressed (P<0.001), and there was a marked reduction in parasympathetic tone (reduced HF(nu,)P<0.001) and an increase in sympathetic tone (increased LF(nu) and LF/HF ratio, P<0.001) in the patient group. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that polytherapy and epilepsy duration >10 years were independent variables associated with a reduction in SDNN. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the major determinants of suppressed SDNN are polytherapy and epilepsy duration >10 years. Analysis of spectral measures of frequency domain indices suggests that an increased sympathetic tone in association with a decreased parasympathetic tone may constitute the mechanism underlying SUDEP in young people with epilepsy.

Ocular changes associated with topiramate.

PURPOSE: To determine the changes in refractive error, and the cornea, anterior chamber, and retina induced by topiramate. METHODS: The study included 76 eyes of 38 patients that began to use topiramate due to migraine. Following ophthalmological examination, all of the patients underwent central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and anterior chamber angle (ACA) measurement using a Scheimpflug camera, as well as macular thickness, retinal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT). These procedures were repeated 15, 30, and 90 days after the initiation of topiramate therapy. RESULTS: The median refractive error value showed a statistically significant increase from -0.25 diopters (D) to -0.62 D at the 90th day follow-up (P < 0.001). Mean CCT was 570.56 µm before treatment and increased to 573.69 µm at the 15th day follow-up, 575.31 µm at the 30th day follow-up, and 574.56 µm at the 90th day follow-up; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Mean ACV, ACD, and ACA did not exhibit statistically significant changes. Mean retinal thickness (RT) increased during the treatment from 263.46 µm to 271.60 µm, which was not statistically significant. The initial mean RNFLT was 100.56 ± 15.36 µm and significantly increased to 110.2 ± 8.41 µm and 111.03 ± 14.59 µm at the 30th and 90th day follow-ups, respectively (P = 0.01 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During the 3-month follow-up of patients using topiramate 50 mg d(-1) significant myopic shift and an increase in RNFLT were observed. Further studies are warranted in order to assess the effects of topiramate when used long term and at higher doses.

Anthropometric indexes, insulin resistance, and serum leptin and lipid levels in women with cryptogenic epilepsy receiving topiramate treatment.

We aimed to investigate the effects of topiramate monotherapy on anthropometric indexes, insulin resistance, and serum leptin and lipid levels in 33 premenopausal women (mean age+/-standard deviation: 26.7+/-7.1years) with cryptogenic epilepsy. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and serum leptin, insulin and lipid levels were measured at baseline and at 6months after initiation of topiramate. We found reductions in BMI (p<0.001), waist circumference (p<0.001) and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (p=0.011). We also found significant improvements in insulin resistance (p=0.023), but not in serum leptin levels (p=0.45). Our results suggest that topiramate treatment in women with epilepsy is associated with reduced BMI and waist circumference and improvement in insulin resistance; however, according to our data, topiramate treatment is also associated with lower HDL cholesterol levels, which may substantially increase vascular disease.

Airway management in neonates with Pierre Robin sequence.

Neonates with Pierre Robin sequence (PRs) suffer from varying degrees of airway obstruction and feeding difficulties, the courses of which differ from patient to patient, due to mandibular deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the course and prognosis of upper airway obstruction in 20 newborns with PRs. Among 15 isolated and 5 syndromic cases, 7 patients fell into Group I, 5 into Group II and 8 into Group III, respectively, according to the clinical classification system proposed by Caouette-Laberge. The 12 patients in Groups I and II were treated with positioning and gavage feeding, whereas the 6 patients in Group III underwent bilateral mandibular distraction. Decannulation or avoidance of tracheostomy was achieved in all of them. A patient who had a significant comorbidity was managed with tracheostomy and one patient expired due to pulmonary problems. When conservative measures fail, mandibular distraction osteogenesis should be considered to obviate tracheostomy in newborns with micrognathia.

Evaluation of cardiac repolarization indices in well-controlled partial epilepsy: 12-Lead ECG findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cardiac repolarization indices in terms of QT intervals in patients with well-controlled partial epilepsy. METHODS: Seventy-six adult patients with well-controlled partial epilepsy and 66 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. 12-Lead ECGs were obtained from all participants. Corrected QT (QTc) intervals including maximum QTc (QTmaxc), minimum QTc (QTminc) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) were calculated. RESULTS: QTmaxc and QTcd intervals were significantly longer in the epilepsy group when compared to control group (439+/-27 ms vs. 422+/-25 ms, p<0.001 and 55+/-18 ms vs. 41+/-18 ms, p<0.001). The proportion of patients with pathologically prolonged QTcd intervals (>50 ms) was significantly higher in the epilepsy group (25 of 76 vs. 7 of 66, p=0.002). QTmaxc was significantly correlated with age (beta=0.29, p=0.012) after adjusting for gender, body mass index and duration of epilepsy. No correlation was observed between the duration of epilepsy and any of the QT intervals. There were no significant differences between the subgroups regarding QT intervals according to the etiology of the seizures (symptomatic/cryptogenic), being on mono- or polytherapy and treatment regimens (carbamazepine/non-carbamazepine). CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of cardiac evaluation even in patients with well-controlled epilepsy. 12-lead ECG recordings might help to uncover serious cardiovascular events.

Auditory P300 event-related potential in tobacco smokers.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the chronic effects of tobacco smoking on the P300, a neurophysiological index of cognitive function. Prospective study participants were recruited from a family medicine polyclinic. We selected 32 right-handed smokers who had smoked more than 15 cigarettes per day, by inhalation, for more than 2 years. The control population consisted of 32 right-handed, age-matched healthy individuals who had never smoked. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded with the auditory "oddball" two-tone discrimination task. The data from the central (Cz) and frontal (Fz) electrodes were analyzed. The P300 and N1 amplitudes at Fz were lower in the study population compared to the control group. The early component of ERP, the measure of mental speed (N1) latency at Fz was prolonged in the study group compared to the controls, possibly because early cognitive processes such as sensory input or initial encoding of sensory information were delayed in this group. For those who smoke, a decreased N1 amplitude might indicate delayed information processing and possibly short-term memory disturbance. Thus, chronic tobacco smoking may produce prefrontal cognitive dysfunction.

Long-term effects of valproic acid on reproductive endocrine functions in Turkish women with epilepsy.

The long-term effects of valproic acid (VPA) on reproductive endocrine functions in women with epilepsy (WWE) were studied. Serum reproductive hormone concentrations, clinical findings and ovarian morphology were analyzed in 71 WWE who had been receiving antiepileptic drugs (AED) for a minimum of 2 years. Of the 71 WWE, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (p = 0.011) and menstrual irregularities (p = 0.009) were found to be more prevalent in women receiving VPA treatment when compared to women on non-VPA treatment. There was no statistically significant dose or duration-related rise of risk for patients who developed PCOS and menstrual irregularities and those who were not on long-term VPA therapy. The lack of a duration-related reproductive dysfunction in this patient population may support the hypothesis of early occurring VPA-associated metabolic and endocrine changes.

Neuro-Behçet's syndrome presenting with features mimicking acute tuberculous meningitis.

Behçet's disease is an inflammatory disease that can involve multiple systems. Here, we describe a case of neuro-Behçet's syndrome presenting with features mimicking acute tuberculous meningitis. Behçet's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a meningeal syndrome unless a viral or bacterial agent is demonstrated.

Amazia with midface anomaly: case report.

Amazia, the absence of the mammary gland, is a very rare congenital anomaly of the breasts. Bilateral absence of the breasts may occur as an isolated anomaly or may be associated with a syndrome or a cluster of other anomalies. Although the literature examining pediatric breast abnormalities is replete with case reports and series, bilateral amazia together with skeletal anomalies has not yet been described. An unusual case of amazia associated with face, limb, and vertebrae anomalies is presented.

A new flap for reconstruction of pilonidal sinus: lumbar adipofascial turnover flap.

BACKGROUND: "Adipofascial turnover flap" is a well-known procedure, but it is generally not used for the surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus disease. The "lumbar adipofascial turnover flap" has been used in this study for the reconstruction of uncomplicated pilonidal sinus disease. METHODS: Ten cases (8 male and 2 female patients) were operated on by this technique. The reconstruction was performed with the lumbar adipofascial turnover flap. The flap sizes ranged from 4 x 7 cm to 5 x 9 cm (mean, 4.5 x 8 cm), and they were elevated with length-to-base ratio below 2:1. The follow-up period was 14 to 26 months. RESULTS: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, and power Doppler ultrasound examinations revealed viability of the flaps in all patients. There was no distortion of anatomic landmarks in any of the cases. The esthetic results were satisfying for all patients as well. There was no recurrence in any cases. CONCLUSIONS: The hospital stay and mean time off work were shorter compared with other methods of reconstruction and there was no recurrence. We advocate that the lumbar adipofascial turnover flap is an excellent choice for reconstruction of cases with uncomplicated pilonidal sinus disease.

A new technique applying botulinum toxin in narrow and wide foreheads.

The use of botulinum toxin is becoming increasingly popular, and application details are being examined in an effort to achieve more satisfactory results with fewer side effects. In the forehead area, the main considerations are the effacement of forehead wrinkles to a desirable extent and the prevention of complications such as ptosis of the eyebrow and upper eyelid. The frontalis muscle necessitates chemodenervation by botulinum toxin at multiple points for the desired effect. The dimensions of foreheads, and thus the frontalis muscle, differ from patient to patient. The effectiveness and side effects change according to whether the forehead is narrow or a wide. Therefore, no single application technique is best for all patients. For this study, the glabella-hairline distance was measured in 90 healthy adults. Patients with a vertical forehead length exceeding 70 mm were regarded as having a wide forehead, and the botulinum toxin was applied in three vertical lines in two split doses. On the other hand, individuals with a vertical forehead length of less than 60 mm were regarded as having a narrow forehead, and the toxin was applied in two split doses in three horizontal lines. The authors have found that in cases of wide or narrow foreheads, the effectiveness of the toxin increased, whereas the side effects such as brow asymmetry and ptosis were not encountered. Thus, they recommend the use of this technique for patients with wide or narrow foreheads.

Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The possible occurrence of evoked potential (EP) abnormalities in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy has been little investigated. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate possible changes in pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (P-VEP) responses in newly diagnosed epilepsy patients. METHODS: By using P-VEPs, latency values of the N75 and P100 together with amplitude values of P100 were recorded in newly diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy patients. The patients comprised two groups; nonphotosensitive (non-PS), and photosensitive (PS) patients. RESULTS: Shortened N75 and normal P100 latencies of the P-VEP with higher than normal P100 amplitudes were detected in PS patients. In non-PS patients, N75 latencies of the P-VEPs were unaffected; however, P100 latencies were prolonged, and P100 amplitudes were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: P-VEPs are different from those of controls in previously untreated idiopathic epilepsy patients. Results also indicate different P-VEP features in patients with and without photoparoxysmal responses. The changes might be the result of a disorder of one or more neurotransmitters or subtle morphologic damage such as microdysgenesis.