Lancet neurology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Serial MRI to determine the effect of dexamethasone on the cerebral pathology of tuberculous meningitis: an observational study.
Adjunctive dexamethasone increases survival from tuberculous meningitis, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of dexamethasone on cerebral MRI changes and their association with intracerebral inflammatory responses and clinical outcome in adults treated for tuberculous meningitis. ⋯ Dexamethasone may affect outcome from tuberculous meningitis by reducing hydrocephalus and preventing infarction. The effect may have been under-estimated because the most severe patients could not be scanned.
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Review Meta Analysis
Burden of stroke in black populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing epidemiological transition. Stroke and other vascular diseases increasingly contribute to the burden of disease. There are no systematic reviews of stroke mortality, prevalence, incidence, and case fatality. ⋯ The prevalence of stroke is lower than in high-income regions, but disabling stroke is as prevalent. As the region develops economically, the incidence of stroke and other vascular diseases will increase unless interventions are implemented. Only community-based incidence studies will accurately reveal the burden of stroke.
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Multicenter Study
Early decompressive surgery in malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery: a pooled analysis of three randomised controlled trials.
Malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is associated with an 80% mortality rate. Non-randomised studies have suggested that decompressive surgery reduces this mortality without increasing the number of severely disabled survivors. To obtain sufficient data as soon as possible to reliably estimate the effects of decompressive surgery, results from three European randomised controlled trials (DECIMAL, DESTINY, HAMLET) were pooled. The trials were ongoing when the pooled analysis was planned. ⋯ In patients with malignant MCA infarction, decompressive surgery undertaken within 48 h of stroke onset reduces mortality and increases the number of patients with a favourable functional outcome. The decision to perform decompressive surgery should, however, be made on an individual basis in every patient.
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Clinical Trial
Bilateral, pallidal, deep-brain stimulation in primary generalised dystonia: a prospective 3 year follow-up study.
We have previously reported the efficacy and safety of bilateral pallidal stimulation for primary generalised dystonia in a prospective, controlled, multicentre study with 1 year of follow-up. Although long-term results have been reported by other groups, no controlled assessment of motor and non-motor results is available. In this prospective multicentre 3 year follow-up study, involving the same patients as those enrolled in the 1 year follow-up study, we assessed the effect of bilateral pallidal stimulation on motor impairment, disability, quality of life, cognitive performance, and mood. ⋯ Bilateral pallidal stimulation provides sustained motor benefit after 3 years. Mild long-term improvements in quality of life and attention were also observed.