Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
-
Meta Analysis
Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of the upper limb spasticity after stroke: a meta-analysis.
Muscle over-activity is one of the cardinal features of spasticity and it is a common disability of stroke patients. In this group, spasticity is responsible for several limitations that interfere in their daily activities and quality of life. ⋯ In this article we summarize the data of previous double-blind, randomised clinical trials to asses, with a meta-analysis, if BTX-A is an adequate treatment for spasticity due to stroke. The results show a statistical superiority of BTX-A ov%r placebo on reducing muscle tone by the Modified Ashworth Scale (WMD= 0.95 [0.74 to 1.17]) in patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity.
-
To analyze the usefulness of determining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) for the early diagnosis and evaluation of the prognosis of neonatal meningitis. ⋯ The detection of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in the CSF is of great value in order to achieve a early diagnosis of neonatal meningitis. Among the three cytokines analyzed, IL-6 was the best indicator of meningeal inflammation.
-
Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, with large antibacterial spectrum, is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of serious hospital infections. Its security report is considered favourable. ⋯ In this paper, we report seven patients with reversible cefepime-induced encephalopathy, with a peculiar EEG pattern, characterized by semiperiodic diffuse triphasic waves. We discuss the EEG abnormalities found and their association with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.