Association of Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder with allergic diseases in children and adolescents: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rate of allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in children and adolescents diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (n:26) and/or Tourette syndrome (TS) (n:32) [OCD plus TS, n:13] compared to control subjects (n:35) [total, n:80]. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The symptoms of any allergic disease were assessed using the ISAAC questionnaire form. Allergy diagnoses were made by a pediatric allergy specialist. Skin prick tests were applied, and IgE levels and eosinophil counts were measured. RESULTS: While only one-fifth of the control subjects had allergic diseases, more than half of the children with TS and/or OCD had comorbid allergic diseases. Positive skin prick tests were greater in OCD patients compared to control subjects. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of eosinophil counts or IgE levels. Among the allergic diseases, while allergic rhinitis was diagnosed at significantly higher rates in TS patients, eczema was significantly higher in OCD patients compared to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows an association between allergic diseases and TS and/or OCD. The results revealing differences in associations between types of allergic disease (rhinitis or eczema) and neuropsychiatric disorder (tic disorder or OCD) need to be investigated in further studies with higher numbers of participants, and immune markers should be examined.

Multifocal intradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull associated with nasal osteoma.

OBJECTIVE: To present a 42-year-old female patient with multifocal cavernous hemangioma of the skull associated with nasal osteoma. DESIGN: A case report. INTERVENTION METHODS: X-rays, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were used to achieve the diagnosis of this rare entity. The multiple cavernous hemangiomas were resected en-bloc and a curettage biopsy was obtained from the nasal osteoma. RESULTS: The patient healed well after the operation. No recurrences of the cavernous hemangiomas were observed after one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Multifocal cavernous hemangiomas are rare benign lesions of the calvarium, arising from the intrinsic vasculature of the bone. Although they are benign, radiological findings are not always characteristic and their multiple presentation may easily make surgeons consider the other malignancies of the skull in the differential diagnosis. Histopathologic confirmation of the tumor is the definitive method for diagnosis. The treatment of choice is early en bloc resection of the tumour where it is possible.

Ogilvie's syndrome after cervical discectomy.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) is characterized by abdominal distention and massive colonic dilatation without any mechanical cause of obstruction. Lumbar spine operations can be an etiologic factor. We had a case with Ogilvie's syndrome after cervical discectomy. We also treated successfully this case by parasympathetic agent, neostigmine.

Diabetes insipidus secondary to penetrating spinal cord trauma: case report and literature review.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) that developed after a gunshot injury to the thorax and thoracic spinal cord and to discuss the disease process in light of the relevant literature. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) abnormalities may develop after spinal trauma and/or surgery. Although there are published reports of inappropriate ADH syndrome arising in this clinical picture, CDI is rare. METHODS: A 33-year-old woman with hemopneumothorax and a gunshot wound to her thoracic spine was treated with chest tube drainage. No surgery was performed for the spinal injury. The patient was paraplegic on admission and rapidly developed excessive urine output. Testing revealed that her serum ADH level was low, consistent with CDI. Desmopressin acetate nasal spray was the prescribed treatment. RESULTS: The patient responded well to the desmopressin acetate spray. CONCLUSIONS: CDI is a complicated hormonal disorder characterized by excessive urine output. It is typically linked to an abnormality in the hypothalamohypophyseal axis that markedly reduces ADH production. The most common inciting causes are craniocerebral trauma, brain tumor and/or surgery, and central nervous system infection. Although uncommon, CDI should be considered when a spinal trauma patient develops excessive urine output.

Sepsis and multiple brain abscesses caused by Salmonella paratyphi B in an infant: successful treatment with sulbactam-ampicillin and surgical drainage.

Abscess formation by Salmonella species is an uncommon but significant manifestation of salmonellosis, because this type of infection has high morbidity and mortality rates and is a potential nosocomial hazard. In infants, history of consumption of contaminated water should be especially quired. We report a case who had sepsis and multiple brain abscesses due to Salmonella paratyphi B and who responded to sulbactam-ampicillin (SAM) therapy. Sulbactam-ampicillin combination may be preferable due to its immunomodulator effect.

Unilateral Agenesis of Internal Carotid Artery with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Report of Two Cases.

Internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare anomaly of embryologic development. Digital subtraction angiography examination showed no visualization of the ICA on the right side in a 30-year-old male patient and on the left side in a 47-year-old female patient. Computed tomography (CT) revealed the absence of the corresponding bony carotid canal. Doppler examinations of the common carotid and external carotid arteries on the affected sides demonstrated high-resistance flow characteristics. Two cases of ICA agenesis with subarachnoid hemorrhage were presented and the literature is reviewed.http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00547/bibs/8n3p157.html

Reconstruction of the middle cerebral artery after excision of a giant fusiform aneurysm.

A patients with a giant fusiform aneurysm of the left inferior trunkus of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is presented. The size of the aneurysm was 5 cm at its largest diameter. Retrograde flow was well developed. After the application of temporary clips the aneurysm was excised and microsurgical reconstructions were undertaken. Adequate flow in the reconstructed MCA trunkus was maintained. This rare case is discussed in the light of the literature.

Epidermoid tumor of the interhemispheric fissure.

In this report, we present a case of an interhemispheric epidermoid presenting with generalized seizure. The tumor was demonstrated radiologically and discussed with the pertinent literature.

Effects of nerve growth factor on acetylcholinesterase activity of the proximal stump of the transected sciatic nerve.

28 rats were studied. They were divided into four groups of 7 rats of each one-day control animals (Group A), seven-day control animals (Group B), one-day nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated animals (Group C) and seven-day NGF-treated animals (Group D). In all animals, the right sciatic nerve was explored and completely transected using microscissors under a microscope. In NGF-treated animals, NGF (0.1 mg/kg NGF) was injected subcutaneously. In control animals, there was a statistically significant decrease in AChE activity in the proximal stump of the transected sciatic nerve at 7-day measurements (p < 0.05). In the NGF-treated groups, mean AChE activity in the proximal stump of the transected sciatic nerve was decreased at the 7-day measurement. AChE activity difference between control and NGF-treated groups, measured on the 7th day, are statistically significant (p < 0.01). These results demonstrate the effect of NGF on the cholinergic system.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the temporal bone with intracranial, extracranial and intraorbital extension. Case report.

Primary cranial Ewing's sarcoma is a very rare malignant tumor. Primary temporal bone Ewing's sarcoma with intraorbital extension is also a very rare condition. In this article we describe a case of primary Ewing's sarcoma of the temporal bone which extended into intracranial, extracranial and intraorbital compartments; manifesting with a swelling in the zygomatic fossa and proptosis of the right eye. The tumor was excised partially, and the patient underwent radiochemotherapy. The patient died 6 months after the therapy, with lung metastasis. The case is discussed with the pertinent literature.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a study of 6 cases.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare disease. In this report; six cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia have been studied. At first, drug therapy was used in all of the 6 cases. In 2 of the 6 cases which were resistant to medical therapy intracranial section of the 9th nerve as well as the upper two rootlets of the 10th nerve were performed. This resolved the symptoms completely. One of these two cases, had, in addition to pain paroxyms, hypotension, bradycardia and syncope, which were controlled by temporary cardiac pacemaker. In the other 4 cases, drug therapy was able to control the paroxysms of pain. In addition, two patients with weight loss and one patient with bradycardia rapidly responded to drug therapy as well. Reviewing the literature, we discuss the medical and surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia and possible mechanisms of associated cardiovascular disturbances.

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on Na(+)-K(+)-Adenosine triphosphatase activity following experimental spinal cord trauma.

The effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on spinal cord Na(+)-K(+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) activity after spinal cord injury was evaluated in rats. The rats were injured by compression of the cord at T-10 for 1 minute with a 50-g clip. Saline in the placebo group (n = 8) and TRH (0.6 mg per dose) in the TRH group (n = 9) were administered intraperitoneally as bolus injections in two doses, at 45 and 120 minutes after the injury. The Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity level in the TRH group was significantly higher (p = 0.024) than in placebo group. These results indicate a possible role for TRH treatment in spinal cord injury.

Hirsutism as a first manifestation of a giant arachnoid cyst of the sylvian fissure.

In this report, we present a case presenting with hirsutism. In this case, there was a large sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst demonstrated by radiology. This case is discussed in view of clinical findings and a literature review is presented.

Aneurysm of an azygos anterior cerebral artery: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Aneurysm of an azygos anterior cerebral artery is rare. Two cases are presented. In case 2, the coexistence of arachnoid cyst with this aneurysm is reported. Literature is reviewed.

Epidermoid tumor of the occipital bone.

Intradiploic epidermoid tumor of the occipital bone was presented. There were neither intracranial extensions nor neurologic deficits. The lesion started as a painless mass under the scalp. The total removal of the tumor was associated with a good prognosis.

Clinical and radiological evaluation of angiographically occult, calcified intracranial vascular malformation. Case report.

In this study, we present an angiographically occult, calcified intracranial vascular malformation. This lesion is rare and has some therapeutic difficulties and different approaches by authors. In this article, we also discuss the clinical, radiological characteristic features of this lesion. We pay attention on the totally calcified malformation.

Primary intraosseous meningioma of the temporal bone in an infant. A case report.

Primary intraosseous meningioma of the skull bone is a very rare entity. Although it can occur at any age, it is very rare in children. We present a case and review the literature.

Giant cell tumor of the fronto-parietal bone. A case report.

Giant cell tumor of the skull is very rare clinical entity. This paper presents a case of giant cell tumor of the fronto-parietal bone and a brief review of the literature.

A case of acute encephalopathy after iohexol lumbar myelography.

A case of acute encephalopathy after lumbar myelography is reported in a female aged 26 years. Fourteen hours after the procedure, the patient developed coma (GCS 6) and had generalized slowing of EEG activity. This state lasted about 12 h, followed by gradual and full recovery.

Bilateral posterior fossa epidural hematoma--report of two cases.

Two cases of posttraumatic bilateral posterior fossa epidural hematoma are presented. Such hematomas are extremely rare, but can be surgically cured. Computed tomography helps to establish the diagnosis and determine the neurosurgical treatment.