Epilepsia en el paciente oncológico: prevención primaria e importancia en la selección del paciente de alto riesgo / Epilepsy in cancer patients: primary prevention and the importance of high-risk patient screening

Introducción: La epilepsia en el paciente oncológico presenta una prevalencia del 13%, especialmente elevada en pacientes con tumores cerebrales, así como una mayor morbimortalidad respecto de la epilepsia no tumoral. Sus mecanismos fisiopatógenos son diferenciadores, e incluyen la distorsión de la arquitectura cortical y la alteración del microambiente molecular tumoral y peritumoral favorecedor de glutamato. A pesar de ello, existe evidencia científica escasa e inconsistente acerca de aspectos fundamentales, como la profilaxis primaria postoperatoria, el perfil farmacológico idóneo o el tiempo de retirada de fármacos anticrisis tras la libertad de éstas. Desarrollo: Características como el bajo grado tumoral, el número/tamaño de las lesiones corticales, la localización (frontal, cortical/subcortical o área elocuente), las crisis tempranas y las alteraciones moleculares, como mutación IDH1/2, son factores favorecedores para la aparición de crisis. Dentro del tratamiento, la cirugía aportará citorreducción y control de crisis por escisión del área epileptógena, con libertad de crisis incapacitantes del 75-90%. Aunque sigue siendo un tema controvertido, el uso postoperatorio de fármacos anticrisis está contraindicado por las principales sociedades científicas por la escasa evidencia y el amplio espectro de efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, se emplean frecuentemente en la práctica clínica diaria. Conclusiones: Todo ello nos obliga a establecer un grupo de pacientes de ‘alto riesgo’ de crisis postoperatorias, que precisará seleccionar el fármaco anticrisis idóneo en prevención primaria, con una vía de administración que facilite un rápido efecto de acción y una farmacocinética que evite el metabolismo hepático y la inducción de CYP450 para conseguir un menor número de interacciones con quimioterápicos, corticoides y radioterapia. A pesar de ello, se describen tasas de farmacorresistencia del 20-40% y recidiva del 25-29%.(AU)

Introduction: Epilepsy in cancer patients has a prevalence of 13%, and is especially high in patients with brain tumours, with a higher morbidity and mortality rate compared to non-tumour-related epilepsy. Its physiopathogenic mechanisms are distinct and include distortion of the cortical architecture and alteration of the glutamate-enhancing tumoural and peritumoural molecular microenvironment. Nevertheless, there is scarce and inconsistent scientific evidence on some fundamental aspects, such as primary post-operative prophylaxis, the ideal pharmacological profile or the withdrawal time of antiseizure drugs after their release. Development: Characteristics such as low tumour grade, number/size of cortical lesions, location (frontal, cortical/subcortical or eloquent area), early seizures and molecular alterations, such as IDH1/2 mutation, are factors that favour the occurrence of seizures. Within the treatment, surgery will provide cytoreduction and seizure control by excision of the epileptogenic area, with 75-90% freedom from disabling seizures. Although still a controversial issue, the post-operative use of antiseizure drugs is contraindicated by the main scientific societies due to the scarce evidence and the wide spectrum of side effects. However, they are frequently used in daily clinical practice. Conclusions: All this forces us to establish a group of patients at ‘high risk’ of postoperative seizures, who will need to select the ideal antiseizure drug for primary prevention, with a route of administration that facilitates a rapid action effect and pharmacokinetics that prevents hepatic metabolism and CYP450 induction to achieve a lower number of interactions with chemotherapy, corticosteroids and radiotherapy. Despite this, drug resistance rates of 20-40% and relapse rates of 25-29% have been reported.(AU)

[Epilepsy in cancer patients: primary prevention and the importance of high-risk patient screening]. / Epilepsia en el paciente oncológico: prevención primaria e importancia en la selección del paciente de alto riesgo.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy in cancer patients has a prevalence of 13%, and is especially high in patients with brain tumours, with a higher morbidity and mortality rate compared to non-tumour-related epilepsy. Its physiopathogenic mechanisms are distinct and include distortion of the cortical architecture and alteration of the glutamate-enhancing tumoural and peritumoural molecular microenvironment. Nevertheless, there is scarce and inconsistent scientific evidence on some fundamental aspects, such as primary post-operative prophylaxis, the ideal pharmacological profile or the withdrawal time of antiseizure drugs after their release. DEVELOPMENT: Characteristics such as low tumour grade, number/size of cortical lesions, location (frontal, cortical/subcortical or eloquent area), early seizures and molecular alterations, such as IDH1/2 mutation, are factors that favour the occurrence of seizures. Within the treatment, surgery will provide cytoreduction and seizure control by excision of the epileptogenic area, with 75-90% freedom from disabling seizures. Although still a controversial issue, the post-operative use of antiseizure drugs is contraindicated by the main scientific societies due to the scarce evidence and the wide spectrum of side effects. However, they are frequently used in daily clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: All this forces us to establish a group of patients at 'high risk' of postoperative seizures, who will need to select the ideal antiseizure drug for primary prevention, with a route of administration that facilitates a rapid action effect and pharmacokinetics that prevents hepatic metabolism and CYP450 induction to achieve a lower number of interactions with chemotherapy, corticosteroids and radiotherapy. Despite this, drug resistance rates of 20-40% and relapse rates of 25-29% have been reported.

TITLE: Epilepsia en el paciente oncológico: prevención primaria e importancia en la selección del paciente de alto riesgo.Introducción. La epilepsia en el paciente oncológico presenta una prevalencia del 13%, especialmente elevada en pacientes con tumores cerebrales, así como una mayor morbimortalidad respecto de la epilepsia no tumoral. Sus mecanismos fisiopatógenos son diferenciadores, e incluyen la distorsión de la arquitectura cortical y la alteración del microambiente molecular tumoral y peritumoral favorecedor de glutamato. A pesar de ello, existe evidencia científica escasa e inconsistente acerca de aspectos fundamentales, como la profilaxis primaria postoperatoria, el perfil farmacológico idóneo o el tiempo de retirada de fármacos anticrisis tras la libertad de éstas. Desarrollo. Características como el bajo grado tumoral, el número/tamaño de las lesiones corticales, la localización (frontal, cortical/subcortical o área elocuente), las crisis tempranas y las alteraciones moleculares, como mutación IDH1/2, son factores favorecedores para la aparición de crisis. Dentro del tratamiento, la cirugía aportará citorreducción y control de crisis por escisión del área epileptógena, con libertad de crisis incapacitantes del 75-90%. Aunque sigue siendo un tema controvertido, el uso postoperatorio de fármacos anticrisis está contraindicado por las principales sociedades científicas por la escasa evidencia y el amplio espectro de efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, se emplean frecuentemente en la práctica clínica diaria. Conclusiones. Todo ello nos obliga a establecer un grupo de pacientes de 'alto riesgo' de crisis postoperatorias, que precisará seleccionar el fármaco anticrisis idóneo en prevención primaria, con una vía de administración que facilite un rápido efecto de acción y una farmacocinética que evite el metabolismo hepático y la inducción de CYP450 para conseguir un menor número de interacciones con quimioterápicos, corticoides y radioterapia. A pesar de ello, se describen tasas de farmacorresistencia del 20-40% y recidiva del 25-29%.

Labor asistencial del equipo de guardia de neurología en un hospital terciario de Madrid: análisis prospectivo durante un año / Workload of on-call emergency room neurologists in a Spanish tertiary care centre. A one-year prospective study

Introducción: El envejecimiento poblacional, el aumento en la demanda asistencial y la instauración de tratamientos avanzados para el ictus agudo han originado que las urgencias neurológicas crezcan en número y complejidad. A pesar de esto, muchos centros hospitalarios de España carecen de guardias específicas de Neurología. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo durante un año (agosto 2010-julio 2011), que describe la labor asistencial del equipo de guardia de Neurología del Hospital terciario Gregorio Marañón de Madrid. Se recogieron las características sociodemográficas, las principales afecciones, las pruebas diagnósticas y el flujo de los pacientes atendidos, utilizando un registro diario mediante una base de datos informatizada. Los resultados fueron comparados con la asistencia médica general en urgencias. Resultados: Se atendió a 3.234 pacientes (3,48% del total de urgencias médicas), con una media de 11,15 pacientes/día. La edad media fue de 59 años. Las enfermedades más frecuentes fueron la cerebrovascular (34%), epilepsia (16%) y cefalea (8%). La estancia media en urgencias fue de 7,17 h. La tasa de ingreso hospitalario fue del 40% (7,38% del total de ingresos urgentes por afección médica). Los principales destinos de los pacientes hospitalizados fueron Unidad de Ictus (39,5%) y la planta de Neurología (33%). Se realizaron 76 procedimientos trombolíticos o intravasculares en ictus agudos. El 70% de los pacientes fue valorado fuera del horario laboral. Conclusiones: La atención neurológica es frecuente, variada y compleja, representando un alto porcentaje sobre el total de paciente atendidos o ingresados en urgencias. Nuestros resultados justifican la presencia física de un neurólogo de guardia 24 h en urgencias

Introduction: Population ageing, the rising demand for healthcare, and the establishment of acute stroke treatment programs have given rise to increases in the number and complexity of neurological emergency cases. Nevertheless, many centres in Spain still lack on-call emergency neurologists. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to describe the role of on-call neurologists at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, a tertiary care centre in Madrid, Spain. Sociodemographic characteristics, most common pathologies, diagnostic tests, and destination of the patients attended were recorded daily using a computer database. Results were compared with the general care data from the emergency department. Results: The team attended 3234 patients (3.48% of the emergency department total). The mean number of patients seen per day was 11.15. The most frequent pathologies were stroke (34%), epilepsy (16%) and headache (8%). The mean stay in the emergency department was 7.17 hours. Hospital admission rate was 40% (7.38% of emergency hospital admissions). The main destinations for admitted patients were the stroke unit (39.5%) and the neurology department (33%). Endovascular or thrombolytic therapies were performed on 76 occasions. Doctors attended 70% of the patients during on-call hours. Conclusions: Emergency neurological care is varied, complex, and frequently necessary. Neurological cases account for a sizeable percentage of both patient visits to the emergency room and the total number of emergency admissions. The current data confirm that on-call neurologists available on a 24-hour basis are needed in emergency departments

Workload of on-call emergency room neurologists in a Spanish tertiary care centre. A one-year prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Population ageing, the rising demand for healthcare, and the establishment of acute stroke treatment programs have given rise to increases in the number and complexity of neurological emergency cases. Nevertheless, many centres in Spain still lack on-call emergency neurologists. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study to describe the role of on-call neurologists at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, a tertiary care centre in Madrid, Spain. Sociodemographic characteristics, most common pathologies, diagnostic tests, and destination of the patients attended were recorded daily using a computer database. Results were compared with the general care data from the emergency department. RESULTS: The team attended 3234 patients (3.48% of the emergency department total). The mean number of patients seen per day was 11.15. The most frequent pathologies were stroke (34%), epilepsy (16%) and headache (8%). The mean stay in the emergency department was 7.17 hours. Hospital admission rate was 40% (7.38% of emergency hospital admissions). The main destinations for admitted patients were the stroke unit (39.5%) and the neurology department (33%). Endovascular or thrombolytic therapies were performed on 76 occasions. Doctors attended 70% of the patients during on-call hours. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency neurological care is varied, complex, and frequently necessary. Neurological cases account for a sizeable percentage of both patient visits to the emergency room and the total number of emergency admissions. The current data confirm that on-call neurologists available on a 24-hour basis are needed in emergency departments.

Trombólisis intravenosa en el síndrome de alarma capsular: ¿es beneficiosa? / Intravenous thrombolysis in capsular warning syndrome: is it beneficial?

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