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Biomedical subjects

F Salvi

Publications and source records attributed to F Salvi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Double-blind study of vigabatrin in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Thirty-one patients with severe drug-resistant epilepsy entered the study. Vigabatrin (2 to 3 g/d, stratified according to weight) and placebo were administered orally, as add-on therapy in random order under double-blind conditions, each for three months using a crossover design. Thirty patients completed both periods. Of these, ten patients (33%) showed a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more. In the 15 patients presenting with complex partial seizures, "temporal" electroencephalographic abnormalities, and relatively low seizure frequency, there was a significant reduction in seizure frequency during vigabatrin treatment. No significant treatment effect was found for the remaining 15 patients, who presented with mixed seizure types, multifocal electroencephalographic abnormalities, and high seizure frequencies. Tolerability to vigabatrin was good; the most frequently reported unwanted effect was drowsiness. Plasma concentrations of phenytoin showed a significant reduction during the vigabatrin period. The results demonstrate the efficacy and good tolerability of vigabatrin therapy in patients with severe complex partial epilepsy.

Adolescent↗

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis and IgA myeloma.

The authors describe a new case of subcorneal pustular dermatosis associated with IgA myeloma. The significance of this association is unknown, but it seems to be more than a coincidence. The case described is particular, because the interval between skin eruption and first symptoms of myeloma is very long (27 years), and palms and soles are involved.

Humans↗

Transient global amnesia as a postictal state from recurrent partial seizures.

A 60-year-old patient had a 3-year history of recurrent memory disturbances. The video electroencephalographic (EEG) recording of one attack showed that the amnesic state, which clinically resembled transient global amnesia, was characterized by a normal EEG tracing followed by electroclinical complex partial seizures. We suggest that "epileptic" transient global amnesia is postictal in nature.

Alpha Rhythm↗

[The role of endoscopy in the hemorrhagic complications of gastroduodenal ulcer].

The hemorrhage is a fairly frequent event in the evolution of the gastroduodenal peptic ulcer syndrome. The mortality rate has remained approximately unchanged, in spite of the progress in instrumental diagnosis and medical therapy, in the last decade. The authors examine 163 cases of digestive hemorrhage from gastroduodenal ulcers, observed in the last five years (1984-1988), with particular reference to the medical or surgical treatment undertaken, and to the mortality rate. Gastroduodenal ulcers, in 340 cases of upper digestive hemorrhage, represented nearly half the lesions, registered in the same period. Duodenal ulcers (D.U.), were found in 124 patients (34.4%) and gastric ulcers (G.U.) in 39 patients (11.47%), 113 (91.1%) patients with D.U., and 33 (84.6%) patients with G.U. were treated by medical therapy. The mortality rate in this group was 6.16%. II patients (8.9%) with D.U. and 6 patients (15.3%) with G.U. were operated on. The surgical mortality rate was high at 35.2%. Total mortality rate was 9.2%. The endoscopic exam was useful for diagnostic bleeding investigation and contributed to therapeutic decisions. Active bleeding lesions were found in 38.4% of patients with G.U. and in 32.3% with D.U. In 61.6% of patients with G.U. and in 67.7% with D.U., the lesions had already stopped bleeding; but in both lesions nearly 40% of cases, presented signs of a recent hemorrhage. The prognosis and natural history of the hemorrhage, was not changed by an immediate exam. The clinical reports and the data furnished, especially from continuous bleeding and rebleeding lesions, could be useful in identifying a sub-group of patients who could obtain better results by surgical treatment within a suitable time. The endoscopy, besides selecting and contributing to a better therapeutic strategy, through haemostasis technic, could reduce mortality rate from gastroduodenal ulcer lesions.

Emergencies↗

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy: report of a family.

We report an Italian family affected by familial amyloid polyneuropathy. In two siblings, the diagnosis was confirmed by skin biopsy which revealed an unusual involvement of cutaneous nerves. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the presence of prealbumin in the amyloid deposits.

Adult↗

Dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction with perimedullary venous drainage.

MR imaging showed swelling and diffuse signal changes in the spinal cord in two patients with progressive myelopathy. MR angiography revealed slow-flow perimedullary vessels extending to the skull base, which are consistent with drainage vessels of a dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction. This fistula was subsequently seen in both patients on selective arteriograms of the ascending pharyngeal and vertebral arteries.

Aged↗