Effectiveness and safety of perampanel monotherapy for focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures: Experience from a national multicenter registry.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) monotherapy in routine clinical practice for the treatment of focal onset and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted in patients aged ≥12 years treated with PER as primary monotherapy or converted to PER monotherapy by progressive reduction of background antiepileptic drugs. Outcomes included retention, responder, and seizure-free rate after 3, 6, and 12 months and tolerability throughout the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients (mean age = 49.6 ± 21.7 years, 51% female) with focal seizures and/or GTCS were treated with PER monotherapy for a median exposure of 14 months (range = 1-57) with a median dose of 4 mg (range = 2-10). The retention rates at 3, 6, and 12 months and last follow-up were 93.8%, 89.3%, 80.9%, and 71.4%, respectively. The retention rates according to the type of monotherapy (primary vs conversion) did not differ (log-rank P value = .57). Among the 98 patients, 61.2% patients had seizures throughout the baseline period, with a median seizure frequency of 0.6 seizures per month (range = 0.3-26). Responder rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 79.6%, 70.1%, and 52.8%, respectively, and seizure freedom rates at the same points were 62.7%, 56.1%, and 41.5%. Regarding the 33 patients who had GTCS in the baseline period, 87.8% were seizure-free at 3 months, 78.1% at 6 months, and 55.1% at 12 months. Over the entire follow-up, PER monotherapy was generally well tolerated, and only 16% of patients discontinued PER due to adverse events (AEs). Female patients were found to be at a higher risk of psychiatric AEs (female vs male odds ratio = 2.85, 95% confidence interval = 1-8.33, P = .046). SIGNIFICANCE: PER demonstrated good effectiveness and a good safety profile when used as primary therapy or conversion to monotherapy at relatively low doses, in a clinical setting with patients with focal seizures and GTCS.

Actividad delta rítmica intermitente occipital como patrón intercrítico en un adulto con epilepsia focal / Occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity as the interictal pattern in an adult with focal epilepsy

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Perfil clínico y satisfacción con el tratamiento anticoagulante en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular atendidos en consultas de medicina interna y neurología de España / Clinical profile and satisfaction with anticoagulated treatment in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation attended in Internal Medicine and Neurology departments of Spain

Objetivo. Determinar el perfil clínico, el manejo del tratamiento anticoagulante y la satisfacción relacionada con la anticoagulación en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular atendidos en consultas de neurología o medicina interna de España. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio prospectivo, transversal y multicéntrico en el que se incluyó a 1.337 pacientes, que completaron los cuestionarios Anti-Clot Treatment Scale, Self-Assessment of Treatment Questionnaire y EuroQol-5 dimensions. Resultados. 865 pacientes (64,7%) provenían de consultas de neurología, y 472 (35,3%), de medicina interna. Los atendidos en medicina interna eran mayores, tenían más hipertensión, diabetes, insuficiencia cardíaca, insuficiencia renal y arteriopatía periférica. Los pacientes atendidos en neurología tenían más antecedentes de ictus. Globalmente, la escala CHADS2 fue 3,2 ± 1,3; CHA2DS2Vasc, 4,8 ± 1,5, y HAS-BLED, 2,0 ± 0,9, y las puntuaciones más altas fueron en neurología. El 56,1% tomaba antagonistas de la vitamina K, lo que era más común en medicina interna. El porcentaje de tiempo en rango terapéutico adecuado fue del 47% (Rosendaal), sin diferencias entre los grupos. La satisfacción con el tratamiento anticoagulante oral fue elevada en ambos grupos, aunque mayor en los sujetos atendidos en neurología, y mayor con los anticoagulantes orales de acción directa que con los antagonistas de la vitamina K. Conclusiones. Aunque existieron ciertas diferencias en el perfil clínico de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular atendidos en neurología o medicina interna, todos presentaban múltiples comorbilidades y un riesgo tromboembólico elevado. A pesar de que el control del índice internacional normalizado fue pobre, el anticoagulante oral más empleado fueron los antagonistas de la vitamina K. La satisfacción con el tratamiento anticoagulante oral fue alta (AU)

Aim. To determine the clinical profile, management of anticoagulant treatment and satisfaction related to anticoagulation in outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation attended in Neurology or Internal Medicine departments of Spain. Patients and methods. Cross-sectional and multicenter study, in which 1,337 outpatients were included. Patients fulfilled ACTS, SAT-Q and EQ-5D questionnaires. Results. 865 patients (64.7%) were recruited from Neurology department and 472 (35.3%) from Internal Medicine department. Those patients attended in Internal Medicine department were older and had more frequently hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, renal insufficiency and peripheral artery disease. Those patients attended in Neurology department had more commonly prior stroke. Overall, CHADS2 score was 3.2 ± 1.3, CHA2DS2-Vasc 4.8 ± 1.5 and HAS-BLED 2.0 ± 0.9. All scores were higher in those patients attended in Neurology department. Globally, 56.1% of patients were taking vitamin K antagonists, more commonly in Internal Medicine department. The adequate percent of time in therapeutic range was 47% (Rosendaal), without significant differences between groups. Satisfaction with oral anticoagulation was high in both groups, but higher in those attended in Neurology department, and higher in those individuals taking direct oral anticoagulants compared with vitamin K antagonists. Conclusions. Although there were some differences in the clinical profile of patients with atrial fibrillation attended in Neurology or Internal Medicine departments, all of them had many comorbidities and a high thromboembolic risk. Despite INR control was poor, the most common oral anticoagulant used were vitamin K antagonists. Satisfaction related to oral anticoagulation was high (AU)

¿Es imprescindible la realización de una punción lumbar en todos los casos para el diagnóstico de la hipertensión intracraneal idiopática? / Is it really necessary to perform a lumbar puncture in all cases in the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

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Manifestaciones neurooftalmológicas como forma de presentación de la neurosífilis / Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations presenting as neurosyphilis

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Pupila tónica como manifestación inicial de un síndrome de Sjögren / Tonic pupil as an initial manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome

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Percepción de los neurólogos generales sobre la importancia e influencia del deterioro cognitivo y las alteraciones de conducta en la enfermedad de Parkinson / No disponible

Introducción. En los últimos años ha ido adquiriendo cada vez mayor importancia la influencia de los trastornos no motores en la enfermedad de Parkinson (TNMEP). Las alteraciones de conducta (AC) y el deterioro cognitivo (DC) forman parte del espectro de estos TNMEP. Actualmente, en nuestro entorno, un número considerable de pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es valorado inicialmente en las consultas de neurología general, por lo que resulta importante que los neurólogos no especialistas en trastornos del movimiento consideren los TNMEP en la evaluación inicial de sus pacientes con EP. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la percepción que el neurólogo general tiene sobre la importancia e influencia de las AC y el DC en los pacientes con EP. Material y métodos. Se diseñó una encuesta que fue enviada por correo electrónico a los neurólogos con ejercicio profesional en la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias. Resultados. Se enviaron 73 encuestas, de las que se respondieron 40. Las AC y el DC fueron considerados relativamente frecuentes/muy frecuentes por un 78,6 % y un 86 % de los participantes, respectivamente; un 78,6 % y un 82,1 % consideró que las AC y el DC, respectivamente, tienen mucha influencia o tanta influencia como los trastornos motores en la percepción que los pacientes tienen de su enfermedad. Un 60,7 % y un 64,2 % de los encuestados consideró que las AC y el DC, respectivamente, aparecen cuando comienzan a surgir las complicaciones motoras de la enfermedad o en fases tardías de esta. Un 89,2% y un 82,1 % de los encuestados contestó que explora de forma específica siempre o prácticamente siempre las AC y el DC, respectivamente, en su valoración de los pacientes con EP. Un 78,5 % de los encuestados consideró que la levodopa y los agonistas dopaminérgicos no tienen ninguna eficacia o tienen una eficacia limitada en el tratamiento de las AC y el DC. Conclusión. La mayoría de los neurólogos generales en nuestra comunidad autónoma considera que las AC y el DC son problemas frecuentes e importantes en los pacientes con EP, e incluyen de forma específica la valoración de estas complicaciones en su práctica diaria, siendo, en general, consideradas complicaciones tardías(AU)

Introduction. The influence of non-motor disorders in Parkinson’s disease (NMDPD) has become increasingly more important in recent years. Behaviour changes (BC) and cognitive impairment (CI) are part of the spectrum of these NMDPD. Currently, a significant number of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is initially evaluated by general neurologists in our sanitary area; it is therefore important that neurologists not specialized in movement disorders consider NMDPD in the initial assessment of patients with Parkinson's Disease. The aim of this study is to determine the perception that the general neurologist has about the importance and influence of the BC and CI in patients with PD. Materials and methods. We designed a survey that was e-mailed to neurologists with professional activity in the Canary Islands. Results. We sent by e-mail 73 surveys to general neurologists, and we received feedback from 40 of them. BC and CI were considered relatively frequent / very frequent for 78.6% and 86 % of participants, respectively; 78.6 % and 82.1 % considered that BC and CI, in this order, are more influent or are as influent as motor disturbances in the patient self-perception of their disease; 60.7 % and 64.2 % of general neurologists felt that BC and CI appear at the same time than motor complications of the disease, or in later stages of the disease; 89.2 % and 82.1 % answered that they always, or almost always, explore BC and CI in their assessment of patients with PD; 78.5 % thought that levodopa and dopamine agonists have no efficacy or have limited efficacy in the treatment of BC and CI. Conclusion. Most general neurologists in our region believe that BC and CI are frequent and important problems in PD patients, and they specifically include the evaluation of these complications in their daily practice. Both BC and CI are generally considered to appear at later stages of disease course(AU)

Electroconvusive therapy in dementia.

The use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the clinical practice in patients with dementia syndromes continues to cause controversy. In this case, the clinical difficulty existing when making a differential diagnosis between depressive episodes and incipient dementia picture is presented. The interrelation between these two pictures and the possible common etiological origin are also evaluated. Electroconvulsive therapy is effective and safe in functional improvement in affective and dementia disorders in elderly patients.

Terapia electroconvulsiva en la demencia / Electroconvusive therapy in dementia

La utilización de la Terapia electroconvulsiva (TEC) en la práctica clínica en los pacientes con síndromes demenciales sigue suscitando debate. En este caso se expone la dificultad clínica existente ante un diagnóstico diferencial entre episodio depresivo y cuadro demencial incipiente. También se valora la interrelación entre estos dos cuadros así como el posible origen etiológico común. La terapia electroconvulsiva resulta eficaz y segura en la mejora funcional en los trastornos afectivos y demenciales en pacientes de edad avanzada (AU)

The use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the clinical practice in patients with dementia syndromes continues to cause controversy. In this case, the clinical difficulty existing when making a differential diagnosis between depressive episodes and incipient dementia picture is presented. The interrelation between these two pictures and the possible common etiological origin are also evaluated. Electroconvulsive therapy is effective and safe in functional improvement in affective and dementia disorders in elderly patients (AU)

Jacques Guillemeau's 16th-century account of ophthalmoplegia.

In 1585, the renowned French royal surgeon Jacques Guillemeau published his Traité des maladies de l'oeil. The book is divided into 9 unequal sections devoted to the description of eye anatomy and ophthalmological diseases including muscle, membrane, and humor disorders; optic nerve damage; and eyelid affections. Section 3, in particular, focuses on a form of ophthalmoplegia involving progressive paralysis of extraocular muscles. Here we describe and discuss Guillemeau's theoretical framework and practical approach to this ophthalmological disorder. To determine whether this physician was possibly influenced by the thought of antique and contemporary learned men, we reviewed some fundamental ideas on cranial nerves and their paralysis as presented by authors such as Herophilus of Chalcedon, Erasistratus of Ceos, Claudius Galen, Andreas Vesalius, and Leonhard Fuchs.

[Description of the follow-up protocol for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the neuro-ophthalmological unit of a tertiary hospital]. / Descripcion del protocolo de seguimiento para la hipertension intracraneal idiopatica en una unidad de neurooftalmologia de un hospital terciario.

AIM: To review the results of implementing a protocol for following up patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IICH) in a neuro-ophthalmological unit (NOU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted in order to determine the examinations that needed to be included in the follow-up protocol, as well as the optimum frequency of visits and the most adequate duration of the follow-up. Later, a prospective review was performed of the patients that have been included since the NOU was set up and they were compared with the patients included in the IICH register prior to the creation of the NOU. RESULTS: Since the protocol was implemented, visual acuity and the visual field have been evaluated in 100% of patients at three months, at six months and at one year after diagnosis. Moreover, the visual field was examined at three months, at six months and at one year after diagnosis in 91%, 72.8% and 100% of patients with IICH, respectively. Before our follow-up protocol was implemented, 190 had been carried out, which is roughly three per patient. Eleven lumbar punctures have been performed since the NOU was set up. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a multidisciplinary NOU makes it possible to optimise resources and improve the care given to patients with IICH. This should result in an improvement in the functional prognosis of these patients.

TITLE: Descripcion del protocolo de seguimiento para la hipertension intracraneal idiopatica en una unidad de neurooftalmologia de un hospital terciario.Objetivo. Revisar los resultados de la implantacion de un protocolo de seguimiento de pacientes con hipertension intracraneal idiopatica (HICI) en una unidad de neurooftalmologia (UNO). Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo una revision bibliografica para determinar las exploraciones necesarias que debian incluirse en el protocolo de seguimiento, asi como la frecuencia optima de las visitas y la duracion adecuada del seguimiento. Posteriormente, se revisaron de forma prospectiva los pacientes incluidos desde la creacion de la UNO y se compararon con los pacientes incluidos en el registro de HICI previo a la creacion de la UNO. Resultados. Desde la implantacion del protocolo, en el 100% de los pacientes se ha valorado la agudeza visual y la campimetria visual a los tres meses, a los seis meses y al ano del diagnostico. Ademas, en un 91%, 72,8% y 100% de los pacientes con HICI se realizo una campimetria visual a los tres meses, a los seis meses y al ano del diagnostico, respectivamente. Antes de la implantacion de nuestro protocolo de seguimiento, se habian realizado 190, lo que corresponde a unas tres por paciente. El numero de punciones lumbares realizadas desde la creacion de la UNO es de 11. Conclusiones. La creacion de una UNO multidisciplinar permite optimizar los recursos y mejorar la asistencia a los pacientes con HICI. Esto deberia redundar en una mejoria del pronostico funcional de estos pacientes.

Descripción del protocolo de seguimiento para la hipertensión intracraneal idiopática en una unidad de neurooftalmología de un hospital terciario / Description of the follow-up protocol for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the neuro-ophthalmological

Objetivo. Revisar los resultados de la implantación de un protocolo de seguimiento de pacientes con hipertensión intracraneal idiopática (HICI) en una unidad de neurooftalmología (UNO). Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para determinar las exploraciones necesarias que debían incluirse en el protocolo de seguimiento, así como la frecuencia óptima de las visitas y la duración adecuada del seguimiento. Posteriormente, se revisaron de forma prospectiva los pacientes incluidos desde la creación de la UNO y se compararon con los pacientes incluidos en el registro de HICI previo a la creación de la UNO. Resultados. Desde la implantación del protocolo, en el 100% de los pacientes se ha valorado la agudeza visual y la campimetría visual a los tres meses, a los seis meses y al año del diagnóstico. Además, en un 91%, 72,8% y 100% de los pacientes con HICI se realizó una campimetría visual a los tres meses, a los seis meses y al año del diagnóstico, respectivamente. Antes de la implantación de nuestro protocolo de seguimiento, se habían realizado 190, lo que corresponde a unas tres por paciente. El número de punciones lumbares realizadas desde la creación de la UNO es de 11. Conclusiones. La creación de una UNO multidisciplinar permite optimizar los recursos y mejorar la asistencia a los pacientes con HICI. Esto debería redundar en una mejoría del pronóstico funcional de estos pacientes (AU)

Aim. To review the results of implementing a protocol for following up patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IICH) in a neuro-ophthalmological unit (NOU). Patients and methods. A review of the literature was conducted in order to determine the examinations that needed to be included in the follow-up protocol, as well as the optimum frequency of visits and the most adequate duration of the follow-up. Later, a prospective review was performed of the patients that have been included since the NOU was set up and they were compared with the patients included in the IICH register prior to the creation of the NOU. Results. Since the protocol was implemented, visual acuity and the visual field have been evaluated in 100% of patients at three months, at six months and at one year after diagnosis. Moreover, the visual field was examined at three months, at six months and at one year after diagnosis in 91%, 72.8% and 100% of patients with IICH, respectively. Before our followup protocol was implemented, 190 had been carried out, which is roughly three per patient. Eleven lumbar punctures have been performed since the NOU was set up. Conclusions. The creation of a multidisciplinary NOU makes it possible to optimise resources and improve the care given to patients with IICH. This should result in an improvement in the functional prognosis of these patients (AU)

[Thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in young obese females: is it a real problem?]. / Trombosis de senos venosos cerebrales en el diagnostico diferencial de la hipertension intracraneal idiopatica en mujeres jovenes obesas: un problema real?

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IICH) typically presents in young women with obesity or a recent weight increase. The differential diagnosis of IICH includes thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses (TCVS), which can also present as an isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome. We review the frequency with which patients with a typical IICH profile presented TCVS as their diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted in a retrospective review of all the admissions due to intracranial hypertension syndromes in our centre between 2000 and 2011. The cases selected were those with a normal cerebrospinal fluid study and computerised axial tomography scan of the head that presented as an isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome; those who manifested a focal neurological picture, however, were excluded. From the patients that were included, a subgroup made up of females between 16 and 35 years of age with a body mass index of above 25 were selected. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were obtained. Of these, 35 (94.6%) were cases of IICH and two (5.4%) were TCVS. The time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was less than seven days in both cases of TCVS (100%) and in two cases (5.4%) of IICH. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 5.4% of patients with a typical IICH profile that present with an intracranial hypertension syndrome can present TCVS. The presence of prothrombotic factors and a high D-dimer can suggest this possibility, although there is still a need for well-established parameters that allow decisions to be made in emergencies in the absence of any chance of performing an urgent MR phlebography scan.

Trombosis de senos venosos cerebrales en el diagnóstico diferencial de la hipertensión intracraneal idiopática en mujeres jóvenes obesas: ¿un problema real? / Thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in young obese females: is it a real problem?

Introducción. La hipertensión intracraneal idiopática (HICI) se presenta típicamente en mujeres jóvenes con obesidad o aumento de peso reciente. En el diagnóstico diferencial de la HICI se encuentra la trombosis de los senos venosos cerebrales (TSVC), que también puede presentarse como un síndrome de hipertensión intracraneal aislada. Revisamos la frecuencia con la que pacientes con un perfil típico de HICI presentaron como diagnóstico una TSVC. Pacientes y métodos. Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva todos los ingresos por síndromes de hipertensión intracraneal en nuestro centro entre 2000 y 2011. Se seleccionaron los casos con tomografía axial computarizada craneal y estudio de líquido cefalorraquídeo normal que se presentaron como un síndrome de hipertensión intracraneal aislado, excluyéndose los que manifestaron clínica neurológica focal. Entre los pacientes incluidos, se seleccionó el subgrupo de mujeres entre 16 y 35 años con un índice de masa corporal superior a 25. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 37 casos. De éstos, 35 (94,6%) fueron casos de HICI y dos (5,4%) de TSVC. El tiempo desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el diagnóstico fue menor de siete días en los dos casos (100%) de TSVC y en dos (5,4%) de HICI. Conclusiones. Hasta un 5,4% de los pacientes con perfil típico de HICI que se presentan con un síndrome de hipertensión intracraneal pueden presentar una TSVC. La presencia de factores protrombóticos y un dímero D elevado pueden orientar hacia esta posibilidad, aunque se precisan todavía parámetros bien establecidos que permitan la toma de decisiones en urgencias en ausencia de la posibilidad de una fleborresonancia craneal urgente (AU)

Introduction. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IICH) typically presents in young women with obesity or a recent weight increase. The differential diagnosis of IICH includes thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses (TCVS), which can also present as an isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome. We review the frequency with which patients with a typical IICH profile presented TCVS as their diagnosis. Patients and methods. The study consisted in a retrospective review of all the admissions due to intracranial hypertension syndromes in our centre between 2000 and 2011. The cases selected were those with a normal cerebrospinal fluid study and computerised axial tomography scan of the head that presented as an isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome; those who manifested a focal neurological picture, however, were excluded. From the patients that were included, a subgroup made up of females between 16 and 35 years of age with a body mass index of above 25 were selected. Results. A total of 37 cases were obtained. Of these, 35 (94.6%) were cases of IICH and two (5.4%) were TCVS. The time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was less than seven days in both cases of TCVS (100%) and in two cases (5.4%) of IICH. Conclusions. Up to 5.4% of patients with a typical IICH profile that present with an intracranial hypertension syndrome can present TCVS. The presence of prothrombotic factors and a high D-dimer can suggest this possibility, although there is still a need for well-established parameters that allow decisions to be made in emergencies in the absence of any chance of performing an urgent MR phlebography scan (AU)

Utilidad de la electroencefalografía en la valoración de la amnesia global transitoria / Usefulness of electroencephalograms in evaluating transient global amnesia

Introducción. La amnesia global transitoria (AGT) es un cuadro clínico perfectamente definido, pero hoy día aún representa una incógnita desde el punto de vista etiológico. Las tres teorías más aceptadas sugieren un origen vascular del episodio, una relación con la fisiopatología de la migraña o un carácter epileptiforme. Objetivo. Analizar si existe algún patrón electroencefalográfico que se repita de manera consistente en una serie de electroencefalogramas (EEG) de pacientes con AGT. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de una muestra de 345 pacientes remitidos para la realización de EEG tras un episodio de AGT. Resultados. En casi el 20% de los EEG se encontró algún hallazgo fuera de la normalidad, si bien la mayor parte de ellos (64%) era de escaso significado patológico. Del 26% restante cabe destacar la presencia de dos pacientes con descargas electroencefalográficas rítmicas subclínicas del adulto (patrón de significado incierto que previamente ya se ha asociado con AGT). Conclusiones. Existe un porcentaje no despreciable de pacientes con AGT y alteraciones en el EEG, si bien la mayor parte de ellas es de escaso significado patológico o atribuible a otra patología de base. No hemos sido capaces de identificar ningún patrón que se repita de manera consistente. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el EEG es una prueba con bajo rendimiento diagnóstico en esta patología y que habría que plantearse la necesidad de realizarla sistemáticamente ante una AGT (AU)

Introduction. Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a perfectly well defined clinical picture, but nevertheless even today its aetiology remains unknown. The three most widely accepted theories suggest it has a vascular origin, it is related with the pathophysiology of migraine or it is of an epileptiform nature. Aim. To analyse whether there is an electroencephalographic pattern that is consistently repeated in a series of electroencephalograms (EEG) carried out on patients with TGA. Patients and methods. The study consists in a retrospective analysis of a sample of 345 patients referred to have an EEG after an episode of TGA. Results. In almost 20% of the EEGs something that could be considered abnormal was found, although most of these findings (64%) were of little pathological significance. Of the remaining 26%, attention should be drawn to the cases of two patients with subclinical rhythmic electroencephalogram discharges of adults (a pattern with a meaning that is not altogether clear and which has previously been associated with TGA). Conclusions. A considerable percentage of patients have TGA and EEG alterations, although most of them are of scarce pathological significance or can be attributed to some other underlying condition. We have not succeeded in identifying any pattern that is consistently repeated. Our results suggest that the EEG is a test with low diagnostic effectiveness in this pathology and it is necessary to reconsider the need to systematically perform such tests in suspected cases of TGA (AU)

Remedies for headaches in a closet for ladies and gentlewomen (1608).

Seventeenth-century English closets were books containing a wide repertoire of household supplies targeted at female readers. Such volumes typically included medical recipes, as early modern women also used to be responsible for preserving and restoring the health of relatives and close neighbors. A Closet for Ladies and Gentlewomen (Sir Hugh Platt, 1608), in particular, incorporates 13 medicinal remedies devised for the therapeutic management of 3 different types of headaches: head-ache, migraine and pain in the head. This article historically contextualizes the text, offers a valid classification of headaches in 17th-century England, and describes the composition of the homemade pharmaceutical forms recommended to female caregivers, the guidelines for administration and its potential pain-relieving effects.

Plexopatía braquial secundaria a tumor maligno de la vaina del nervio periférico / Brachial plexopathy secondary a malignant tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath

Introducción: el plexo braquial puede verse afectado por patología neoplásica tanto primaria como secundaria. Los tumores primarios del plexo braquial son entidades poco frecuentes, aunque algunos, como el tumor maligno de la vaina del nervio periférico pueden tener un comportamiento agresivo. Caso clínico: se presenta una mujer de 31 años con disestesias y debilidad progresiva en el miembro superior izquierdo. El estudio neurofisiológico mostró afectación del plexo braquial izquierdo. En la resonancia magnética se observó una masa de tejido blando que invadía el plexo braquial. El estudio histológico fue compatible con un tumor maligno de la vaina del nervio periférico. Conclusiones: el tumor maligno de la vaina del nervio periférico es un tumor altamente agresivo que puede aparecer en pacientes sin datos clínicos de neurofibromatosis tipo 1. Debe mantenerse un elevado nivel de sospecha con el objetivo de no retrasar el diagnóstico para así poder realizar un tratamiento lo más conservador posible.

Introduction. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) are sarcomas that are rarely located in the upper limb. Clinical case. We present a 31- year-old woman with progressive dysesthesia and weakness of the left upper limb. The neurophysiological study showed damage in the left brachial plexus. A soft tissue mass that was invading the plexus was observed in the magnetic resonance image. The anatomopathological study was compatible with MPNST diagnosis. Conclusions. Intrinsic tumors of the brachial plexus are uncommon. A MPNST is an extremely aggressive mesenchymal tumor that is seldom rooted in the brachial plexus.