Background and purpose - Migraine is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in women of childbearing ages. Previous researches revealed a higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in migraineurs. Possible differences on the frequencies of hyperhomocysteinemia between migraine with aura and migraine without aura could contribute the established variances in stroke risk between these migraine types. Therefore, we aimed to search if the frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia was different between these subtypes of migraine or not. Methods - We analyzed the findings of serum homocysteine levels in female migraineurs of 16-49 years old who admitted to our outpatient clinic. Results - Homocysteine level was elevated in 13.3% of study population. There were not any significant differences on median serum homocysteine levels between migraine with aura (8.0 mikromol/L) and without aura (8.5 mikromol/L). (p=0.426) The frequencies of hyperhomocysteinemia were also similar (9.1% versus 16.7%, respectively; p=0.373). Correlation analyses did not reveal any linear correlation between ages and homocysteine levels either in group of migraine with aura or in group of migraine without aura (p=0.417 and p=0.647, respectively). Similarly, any linear correlation between disease ages and homocysteine levels either in group of migraine with aura or in group of migraine without aura was not detected (p=0.359 and p=0.849, respectively). Conclusion - The median serum homocysteine levels and the frequencies of hyperhomocysteinemia are similar between migraine with aura and without aura in women of childbearing ages. Therefore, the variances on stroke risk ratios between these types of migraine are probably not originated from the differences of serum homocysteine status.

[In 60-70% of patients with hypertension, a significant decrease in blood pressure can only be achieved by a combination of antihypertensive drugs. International as well as national guidelines emphasise the numerous advantages and the importance of combination treatment. Fixed combinations are particularly advantageous, as their use improves patients’ compliance. This paper summarises the available information on the possible combinations of the nine major antihypertensive drug groups distributed in Hungary, and for details the results published on the recently approved and introduced fixed combination of telmisartan and amlodipine.]

[The authors focus on the rehabilitation of patients with dysphagia caused by surgical and/or irradiative treatment of head and neck tumors as well as neurogenic diseases. The complex rehabilitation includes treatment of the oropharyngeal swallowing dysfunction as well as the therapy of communicative disabilities. The home care of patients with dysphagia, which can not only be life threatening, but also causes social isolation, is an important task for the general practitioner.]

[Dissection of the cervical and intracranial vasculature is a rare but important cause of ischaemic stroke especially in young adults. In the majority of cases it affects the extracranial vessels, mostly the internal carotid artery. It might be categorized as spontaneous or traumatic, causing diverse clinical symptoms. Dissection might lead to ipsilateral stroke mainly by artery-to-artery embolisation. Due to its relative rarity compared to the classic ischaemic stroke of the elderly, there are much less clinically relevant information for the clinician to rely on. Several large, randomised, multicentered, prospective studies and some smaller, retrospective analyses have been published recently concerning the genetic background, epidemiology, acute care and secondary prevention of supraaortic arterial dissection which helps the neurologist to provide evidence-based care for his patient. Our aim is to give a short, up-to-date overview of arterial dissections with two case reports.]

Introduction - Platelets have a crucial role on vascular disease which are involved in pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Platelet size is measured as mean platelet volume (MPV) and is a marker of platelet activity. Platelets contain more dense granules as the size increases and produce more serotonin and tromboglobulin (b-TG) than small platelets. In this study, the alteration of MPV values were investigated in patients with acute stroke, who had MPV values before stroke, during acute ischemic stroke and 7 days after the stroke. The relationship between this alteration and risk factors, etiology and localization of ischemic stroke were also investigated. Methods - Sixty-seven patients with clinically and radiologically established diagnoses of ischemic stroke were enrolled into the study and stroke etiology was classified by modified Trial of Org 10 172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification and, modified Bamford classification was used for localization and stroke risk factors were also evaluated. The platelet counts and MPV values from patient files in patients who had values before stroke (at examination for another diseases), within 24 hours of symptom onset and after 7 further days were analysed. Results - MPV values increased after stroke (10.59±2.26) compared with acute stroke values (9.84±1.64) and the values before stroke (9.59±1.72) (p<0.0001); this alteration of MPV values occured 7 days after stroke (p<0.016). There was a positive correlation between age and MPV values during acute stroke (r=0.270; p<0.05). Patients with atrial fibrillation had higher alteration in the time of MPV compared with patients without atrial fibrillation (p>0.006). We assessed for gender, men (n=38) had a higher alteration in the time of MPV compared with women (n=29) (p=0.013). Conclusion - Although there was no alteration of platelet counts, MPV values were increased 7 days after stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke.