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Klaus Seppi

Publications and source records attributed to Klaus Seppi.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Freezing of gait in postmortem-confirmed atypical parkinsonism.

The frequency and pathophysiology of freezing of gait (FoG) in atypical parkinsonism is unknown. We analysed the frequency of FoG in postmortem-confirmed atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD) comprising corticobasal degeneration (CBD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Sixty-six patients with pathologically confirmed APD (CBD, n = 13; DLB, n = 14; MSA, n = 15; PSP, n = 24) formed the basis for a multicenter clinicopathological study. Clinical features at first and last clinical visit were abstracted from patient records on standardized forms following strict instructions. At the first visit (median 36 months after symptom onset), 24% of APD had FoG (CBD, 8%; DLB, 21%; PSP, 25%; MSA, 40%). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of FoG and urinary incontinence (P = 0.04) at first visit. At last visit, 47% of APD had FoG (CBD, 25%; PSP, 53%; DLB, 54%; MSA, 54%). Clinicopathological correlation based on routine postmortem examination failed to identify a consistent neuropathological substrate of FoG. This study demonstrates that (1) FoG is common in APD, and (2) urinary incontinence is significantly associated with FoG in these disorders. Whether FoG and urinary incontinence share similar neuropathological substrates remains to be determined by future studies.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Riluzole therapy in cervical dystonia.

We conducted a 6-week open-label pilot study with blinded video rating of riluzole (50 mg twice a day) in six patients with cervical dystonia (CD) refractory to botulinum toxin A and oral pharmacological treatment. The Tsui rating scale served as primary efficacy measure and improved significantly under riluzole (P = 0.002). In three of six patients, the Tsui score improved by more than 30% with a greater 50% reduction in the head tremor/jerk subscore of the Tsui scale. These data suggest that riluzole may be helpful in a subgroup of patients with disabling CD refractory to other therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Polycystic ovaries, obesity and insulin resistance in women with epilepsy. A comparative study of carbamazepine and valproic acid in 105 women.

In order to investigate the possible role of valproic acid therapy in the development of obesity, hyperinsulinism and polycystic ovaries (PCOs), we have studied metabolic parameters and ovarian morphology in epileptic women. A total of 105 women, who were treated for at least 2 years with valproate (n = 52) or carbamazepine monotherapy (n = 53), were included in the examination. Menstrual disturbances were reported by 29 (28 %) of the women, 12 (11 %) of the VPA treated women, and 17 (16 %) in the CBZ group. On ultrasound scan polycystic ovaries were found in 28 patients (27 %) of the whole study population, of whom 13 (12 %) received VPA and 15 (14 %) CBZ. The mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in the VPA group (24.4 kg/m(2) +/- 4.1) than in CBZ treated patients (22.9 kg/m(2) +/- 2.4;p < 0.022), and serum triglycerides tended to be increased, while total cholesterol values (178.9 +/- 30.5) and LDL-cholesterol values (92.6 +/- 27.4) were significantly lower in the valproate group, than in the carbamazepine group (207.1 +/- 43.0 vs 115.1 +/- 42.0; p < 0.001). Postprandial insulin, C-peptide and proinsulin levels were significantly higher in VPA treated patients compared with those treated with CBZ, while no differences could be found in the fasting state. In conclusion we could thus demonstrate that the frequency of PCOs in 27 % of epileptic women seems to be similar to that in the general population with a frequency of 20-30 %. The development of PCOs did not reveal a difference with the administration of VPA or CBZ. With respect to the metabolic side-effects of VPA therapy our data indicate that VPA increases glucose stimulated pancreatic insulin secretion, which might be followed by an increase in body weight.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Differentiation of malignant and benign musculoskeletal tumors: combined color and power Doppler US and spectral wave analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the use of combined color Doppler ultrasonography (US), power Doppler US, and spectral wave analysis (SWA) in differentiating malignant and benign musculoskeletal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine musculoskeletal tumors (34 malignant, 45 benign) were examined with color and power Doppler US and SWA. Two radiologists independently assessed US images and SWA findings. Echotexture and vessel characteristics such as stenoses, occlusions, loops, shunts, trifurcations, vascular pattern, and resistive index were evaluated. All tumors were subject to US-guided or open biopsy for histologic correlation. RESULTS: Combined color and power Doppler US and SWA revealed four major (stenosis, occlusion, trifurcation, vascular pattern) and three minor (shunt, self loop, resistive index) vessel characteristics, which proved helpful in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Echotexture showed moderate sensitivity (82% [28 of 34 tumors]) and low specificity (38% [17 of 45 tumors]). When comparing several combinations of vessel characteristics, a combination of any two major characteristics demonstrated the best results (sensitivity, 94% [33 of 39 tumors]; specificity, 93% [three of 45 tumors]). Combining more than two characteristics resulted in lower sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Combined color and power Doppler US and SWA may enable assessment of vascular architecture and altered flow of musculoskeletal tumors. Vascular architecture analysis enables differentiation of benign and malignant lesions and evaluation of musculoskeletal tumors.

Adolescent↗