Neurosciences
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To examine public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. ⋯ The awareness and attitudes of the Saudi public toward epilepsy are showing some improvement. However, it is still thought to be linked to evil spirit possession by some, and spiritual rituals and religious healing are commonly believed to be effective treatments. Targeted areas for focused education were identified.
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The Arrow FlexTip epidural catheter has reinforced coiled stainless steel wire, which facilitates its insertion and is less likely to puncture the blood vessels. However, as compared with non-reinforced, reinforced epidural catheters are more vulnerable to break. We report a case from Saudi Arabia on a retained fragment of a broken epidural catheter. Measures to prevent this mishap and its management are discussed.
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Epilepsy is a common and serious chronic neurological disorder, affecting around 65 million people worldwide. Despite the advances in pharmacologic treatments for epilepsy, approximately 30% of the patients remain medically refractory and continue to have seizures on medications, in such cases, other treatment approaches are necessary. ⋯ Vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of thalamus, and responsive neurostimulation have class I evidence supporting their use in patients with intractable epilepsy. In this review, we discuss the evidence of these therapeutic modalities, their mechanism of action, efficacy, outcome, and their application in clinical use.
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Colloid cysts, benign outgrowths from the roof of the third ventricle, warrant resection when they become symptomatic. Historically, this has been performed by craniotomy and a transcortical or a transcallosal approach that employs a pair of fixed blade retractors and an operating microscope. Less invasive endoscopic techniques have employed rigid endoscopes with single or dual working channels. ⋯ The brain imaging demonstrated a third ventricular colloid cyst. We describe transcortical, transforaminal resection of a colloid cyst using stereotactically guided placement of a tubular retractor, endoscopic visualization, and bimanual dissection with traditional microinstruments. The increased range of viewing angles of the endoscope within the cylinder of access maintained by the tubular retractor facilitates resection of the cyst through a smaller opening.
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To investigate the involvement of opioid receptors in antinociception induced by different aerobic exercise protocols in rats. ⋯ The endogenous opioids system did not participate in the antinociceptive effect produced by the aerobic exercise protocols.