Clinical Neuroscience

JANUARY 30, 2021

Evaluation of the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injection in far lateral lumbar disc herniations

EVRAN Sevket, KATAR Salim

Far lateral lumbar disc herniations (FLDH) consist approximately 0.7-12% of all lumbar disc herniations. Compared to the more common central and paramedian lumbar disc herniations, they cause more severe and persistent radicular pain due to direct compression of the nerve root and dorsal root ganglion. In patients who do not respond to conservative treatments such as medical treatment and physical therapy, and have not developed neurological deficits, it is difficult to decide on surgical treatment because of the nerve root damage and spinal instability risk due to disruption of facet joint integrity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) on the improvement of both pain control and functional capacity in patients with FLDH. A total of 37 patients who had radicular pain caused by far lateral disc herniation which is visible in their lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, had no neurological deficit and did not respond to conservative treatment, were included the study. TFESI was applied to patients by preganglionic approach. Pre-treatment Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores of the patients were compared with the 3rd week, 3rd month and 6th month scores after the procedure. The mean initial VAS score was 8.63 ± 0.55, while it was 3.84 ± 1.66, 5.09 ± 0.85, 4.56 ± 1.66 at the 3rd week, 3rd month and 6th month controls, respectively. This decrease in the VAS score was found statistically significant (p = 0.001). ODI score with baseline mean value of 52.38 ± 6.84 was found to be 18.56 ± 4.95 at the 3rd week, 37.41 ± 14.1 at the 3rd month and 34.88 ± 14.33 at the 6th month. This downtrend of pa­tient’s ODI scores was found statistically significant (p = 0.001). This study has demonstrated that TFESI is an effective method for gaining increased functional capacity and pain control in the treatment of patients who are not suitable for surgical treatment with radicular complaints due to far lateral lumbar disc hernia.

ENG 2021;74(1-2)

Lege Artis Medicinae

JULY 20, 2019

[Severe polymyositis associated with multiplex pulmonary abscesses]

SZABÓ Katalin, VINCZE Anett, NAGY-VINCZE Melinda, DANKÓ Katalin, GRIGER Zoltán

[INTRODUCTION – Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are heterogeneous autoimmune diseases characterized by immune mediated inflammation of the skeletal muscles. CASE REPORT – A case of a 62-year-old male patient with severe proximal muscle weakness, elevated creatine kinase and swallowing difficulity is presented. Electromyography showed myogenic pattern, thus probable polymyositis was diagnosed. Radiological examination has confirmed bilateral multiplex lung lesions, which were caused by the possibility of tumor, tuberculosis, vasculitis and abscess as well. The condition of the patient deteriorated, nasogastric feeding, high dose steroid treatment was initiated, which reduced the patient's creatinine kinase values, but muscle strength was not changed. Based on the results of various investigations, the condition of the patient was finally confirmed by the development of myositis, resulting dysphagia, chronic aspiration, and multiplex lung abscess. Antibiotic therapy, steroid treatment was continued and finally intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was administered. The condition of the patient gradually improved, the swallowing dysfunction disappeared, and the lung abscesses were resolved. As a result of physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment, the patient could walk again. CONCLUSIONS – Nasogastric feeding is recommended to prevent aspiration in the case of myositis-associated dysphagia. In case of steroid refractory therapy, the use of intravenous immunoglobulin may be effective. ]

HUN 2019;29(06-07)

Clinical Neuroscience

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

A rare entity of acquired idiopathic generalised anhidrosis which has been successfully treated with pulse steroid therapy: Does the histopathology predict the treatment response?

ÖKTEM Özdemir Ece, ÇANKAYA Şeyda, UYKUR Burak Abdullah, ERDEN Simsek Nazan, YULUG Burak

Acquired idiopathic generalised anhidrosis is an uncommon sweating disorder characterized by loss of sweating in the absence of any neurologic, metabolic or sweat gland abnormalities. Although some possible immunological and structural mechanisms have been proposed for this rare entity, the definitive pathophysiology is still un­clear. Despite some successfully treated cases with systemic corticosteroid application, the dose and route of steroid application are controversial. Here, we present a 41-year-old man with lack of genera­lised sweating who has been successfully treated with high dose pulse intravenous prednisolone. We have discussed his clinical and histopathological findings as well as the treatment options in view of the current literature.

ENG 2020;73(09-10)

Hypertension and nephrology

OCTOBER 20, 2018

[Hungarian Vasculitis Registry – results of the first five years]

HARIS Ágnes, TISLÉR András, ONDRIK Zoltán, FILE Ibolya, MÁTYUS János, ZSARGÓ Eszter, DEÁK György, AMBRUS Csaba

[Launching the Hungarian Vasculitis Registry aimed to collect information about prevalence and outcome of our patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, and treatment protocols of the disease. The on-line data collection has been developing dynamically since its initiation five years ago, presently 278 patients’ files are available. Patients’ mean age is 58.2±14.5 years, 62% are women; their disease is associated with c-ANCA positivity in 51% and p-ANCA in 49%. At diagnosis GFR was 24.6±21.6 ml/min/1,73 m2, that time 29%, during the total follow up 39% of the registered subjects needed dialysis. Renal replacement therapy could be discontinued in 23% of them. In cases with focal histological changes, also with upper respiratory tract and skin involvement dialysis was significantly less frequently necessary, which underlines the importance of early diagnosis. In induction therapy steroid was administered for 94% of the patients, 85% of them got cyclophosphamide, 59% was treated by plasmapheresis, 11% got rituximab. Maintenance treat ment contained steroid in 80%, per os cyclophosphamide in 23%, parenteral cyclophosphamide in 22%, furthermore 40% of the patients got azathioprin, 8 subjects got mycophenolate and 6 got methotrexate. Median follow up was 30 months (IQR 6-78), during which period 20% of the patients died, 5% got kidney transplantation, and 5% were lost to follow up. Median survival was 14.8 years, five years survival was 85%, and ten years survival was 70%. Long term survival in patients with c-ANCA vasculitis seemed better comparing to p-ANCA vasculitis, but when correcting by age this difference disappeared. Predictors of death were age and dialysis dependent renal failure. Relapses developed in 27% of patients, 28% of them presented in the first year, 21% suffered it after five years of care. Collected data by the Hungarian Vasculitis Registry shows our society’s successful professional activity. Our results are comparable to the published data in the literature, yet there are several areas in our care where further improvements are warranted in order to increase our patient’s survival and quality of life.]

HUN 2018;22(05)

Clinical Neuroscience

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Acute effect of sphenopalatine ganglion block with lidocaine in a patient with SUNCT

KOCATÜRK Mehtap, KOCATÜRK Özcan

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing/short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with cranial autonomic features (SUNCT/SUNA) is a rare severe headache. At the time of an attack, it can hinder a patient from eating and requires acute intervention. The sphenopalatine ganglion is an extracranial parasympathetic ganglion with both sensory and autonomic fibers. Sphenopalatine ganglion block has long been used in the treatment of headache, particularly when conventional methods have failed. Here, we present a patient who was resistant to intravenous lidocaine, but responded rapidly to sphenopalatine ganglion block during an acute episode of SUNCT/SUNA.

ENG 2020;73(09-10)

Clinical Oncology

MAY 10, 2018

[Recent strategies in the chemoterapy of soft tissue tumors]

PÁPAI Zsuzsanna, KISS Nóra

[Conventional adjuvant therapy is, in most cases, either the well-known standard doxorubicin monotherapy or the combination of doxorubicin + ifosfamide. No clear guideline has been developed yet - adjuvant therapy is recommended in cases with high grade, larger than 10 cm, sarcoma, where surgery hasn’t been suffi ciently radical, and adjuvant radiotherapy may not be advisable. In locally advanced tumors, due to the requirements of limb salvage, isolated limb perfusion is recommended. As a new compound, hafnium-oxide nanoparticles (NBTXR3) can be useful in local therapy: combining intratumoral injection and radiotherapy may be a fl agship initiative, however further investigations are necessary. In the treatment of metastatic tumors, beside the standard methods, new, targeted treatments are becoming more and more prevalent: in leiomyosarcomas trabectedine, pazopanib and olaratumab; in liposarcomas trabectedine and eribulin; in synovial sarcomas pazopanib; and in imatinib-resistant GIST, sunitinib and regorafenib. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors categorized as heterogeneous histological subtypes. In their treatment, it is key to customize the treatment based on these subtypes and interdisciplinary collaboration with the orthopedic surgeon, the pathologist and the radiotherapist to determine the suitable therapy for each individual.]

HUN 2018;5(02)

Hypertension and nephrology

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

[Prevention of polyuria during lithium treatment. Recent research and history]

[Renal toxicity of lithium is a highly important subject which may jeopardize the use of an agent needed by millions suffering from recurrent episodes of bipolar disorder. Lithium induced severe renal damage leading to end stage renal disease can be almost prevented today using lowered plasma lithium levels. But administration of medicines are necessary for the prevention of the lithium induced disturbance in renal concentrating operation and development of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Use of thiazides, non-steroid anti-inflammatory compounds (indomethacine) amiloride, high doses of desmopressin and their combinations are our present armamentarium. The present therapy for lithiuminduced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in man is to counter anti-vasopressin action of lithium. The “future” treatment seems to be (on the basis of recent animal experiments) to enhance the sensitivity of the kidney to vasopressin action by administering pharmacologic blockade of the renal P2Y12 receptor by using clopidrogel or prasugrel.]

HUN 2021;25(1)

Clinical Neuroscience

MARCH 30, 2016

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy related inflammation: is susceptibility weighted imaging the clue for diagnosis?

CSÉCSEI Péter, KOMOLY Sámuel, SZAPÁRY László, BARSI Péter

Background - Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is characterized by various neurological symptoms such as gradually developing confusion, progressive cognitive decline, seizure or headaches; T2 hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and neuropathological evidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and associated vascular or perivascular inflammation. Although histological confirmation is necessary for accurate diagnosis, in case of typical clinical features and neuroimaging, the diagnosis can be established without biopsy. Case summary - We present the case of a 57-year-old man with a history of hypertension who presented to the emer¬gency department 3-week history of progressive headache and a gradually developing altered mental status. On examination, he was found to have left sided weakness and decreased pscyhomotility. Routine clinical work-up (lab investigations, CT, cerebrospinal fluid analysis) did not show obvious diagnosis, so we performed an MRI. It raised the suspicion of CAA-ri which diagnosis was verified by neuroradiological evaluation. High dose steroid treatment was initiated. The patient rapidly responded to treatment, his focal neurological signs resolved. Control MRI after 1.5 months showed multiple haemorrhagic laesions in the field of previous inflammation which posteriorly supported the previous supposed work-diagnosis. Conclusions - Although histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, the typical clinical presentation, good response to steroids and accurate neuroradiological criteria make biopsy unnecessary to diagnose CAA-ri.

ENG 2016;69(03-04)