Journal of neurology
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Journal of neurology · Mar 2016
Association of seizure duration and outcome in refractory status epilepticus.
The aim of the study was to identify factors influencing long-term outcome and to evaluate the prognostic power of the Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) in refractory status epilepticus (RSE). We retrospectively extracted data on baseline characteristics, RSE details, and hospital course including complications from all patients treated for RSE in our institution between January 2001 and January 2013. Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and was defined as good when either RSE did not lead to functional decline or when the resulting mRS score was 2 or below. ⋯ Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses confirmed the cut-off dichotomization into STESS ≥ 3 and STESS < 3 for optimal discrimination between good and poor outcome (AUC = 0.671, p = 0.002, YI = 0.368, NPV = 0.607, PPV = 0.756) and revealed an RSE duration of 10 days as a significant cut-off point associated with outcome (AUC = 0.712, p = 0.012, YI = 0.310; NPV = 0.545, PPV = 0.750). In conclusion, STESS and RSE duration represent relevant scores and parameters impacting long-term outcome after RSE. A shorter RSE duration is associated with better outcome and, therefore, rapid and adequate treatment for seizure termination should be enforced.
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Journal of neurology · Mar 2016
An MRI-defined measure of cerebral lesion severity to assess therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis.
Assess the sensitivity of the Magnetic Resonance Disease Severity Scale (MRDSS), based on cerebral lesions and atrophy, for treatment monitoring of glatiramer acetate (GA) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). This retrospective non-randomized pilot study included patients who started daily GA [n = 23, age (median, range) 41 (26.2, 53.1) years, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 1.0 (0, 3.5)], or received no disease-modifying therapy (noDMT) [n = 21, age 44.8 (28.2, 55.4), EDSS 0 (0, 2.5)] for 2 years. MRDSS was the sum of z-scores (normalized to a reference sample) of T2 hyperintense lesion volume (T2LV), the ratio of T1 hypointense LV to T2LV (T1/T2), and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) multiplied by negative 1. ⋯ While GA subjects worsened only on BPF [0.12 (-0.18, 0.58), p = 0.001], noDMT worsened on BPF [0.10 (-1.47, 0.50), p = 0.002], T1/T2 [0.41 (-0.30, 2.51), p = 0.0002], and MRDSS [0.46 (-1.57, 2.46), p = 0.0006]. These preliminary findings show the potential of two new cerebral MRI metrics to track MS therapeutic response. The T1/T2, an index of the destructive potential of lesions, may provide particular sensitivity to treatment effects.
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Journal of neurology · Mar 2016
Biography Historical ArticleThe neurology community mourns the passing of Dr. John F. Kurtzke.