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M V Padma

Publications and source records attributed to M V Padma.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Albendazole in single CT ring lesions in epilepsy.

Single, small, enhancing lesions that often resolve spontaneously are frequent findings on CTs of Indian patients with seizures. Based on ELISA and biopsy data, the majority of these lesions are probably cysticercosis. To determine if these patients should be treated with albendazole, we performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 75 patients with seizures and the appropriate CT abnormality without neurologic abnormality on examination. Patients were randomized to albendazole (15 mg/kg/d) and placebo for 1 week, and we obtained serial CTs at the end of 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. All patients completed a 3-month follow-up and none had systemic evidence of tuberculosis or cysticercosis. The lesions varied in size from 3 mm to 2.1 cm, with an average size of 1.18 cm. Serum ELISA for cysticercosis was positive in 30 and CSF ELISA was positive in 20 of 45 patients. Forty patients received albendazole and 35 received placebo. At the end of 3 months, a total of 68 patients showed resolution. Thirty-five of 40 patients who received albendazole showed resolution, as opposed to 33 of 35 patients on placebo. We conclude that albendazole therapy was not beneficial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Dystrophin test in differential diagnosis of childhood muscular dystrophies.

Two cases of childhood muscular dystrophy are described. One of them had clinical features suggestive of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and the other with some features of Prader-Willi syndrome, besides proximal muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy from both cases revealed a clear abnormality of dystrophin, and were diagnosed as having Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) by immunofluorescence examination; that is, absent dystrophin at the membrane of the muscle fibers. The clinical spectrum of DMD-related myopathies and the importance of dystrophin testing in childhood muscular dystrophies is discussed.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral clonazepam sensitive focal status epilepticus (FSE).

Focal status epilepticus (FSE) and Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) are relatively uncommon disorders. Antiepileptic drugs do not usually alter the FSE-EPC. An 11 year old female patient with progressive neurologic deficits and FSE showed a remarkable response to clonazepam, both clinically and electrophysiologically.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gabapentin in refractory partial epilepsy--a trial in India.

Gabapentin (GBP) has been shown to be effective an add-on drug for the treatment of refractory partial epilepsy. We undertook an open clinical trial to test its efficacy for the first time in India. Twenty-six patients with refractory partial seizures (> 4 per month) were given GBP in a titrated dose and the seizure frequency was noted for 3 months. The mean reduction in seizures was significant: 15.87 (SD = 4.5) vs 5.80 (SD = 10.25). The mean percentage change (PCH) from the baseline was -36. Twenty-one of 26 (80%) patients had a reduction in the number of seizures, and 13/26 (50%) were identified as responders (> 50% reduction in seizures). The responders were significantly younger than the nonresponders. Adverse events were mild and noted in 46% patients. Although the trial has its limitations, this is probably the first trial of GBP in a developing country.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative thermal sensory testing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using reaction time exclusive method of levels (MLE).

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative thermal sensory testing (QST) systems are used for the noninvasive quantification of sensory nerve function including the small myelinated and unmyelinated fibres which is not provided by classical sensory nerve conduction studies. Although Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a pure motor disorder, nevetheless involvement of the sensory fires has been reported occasionally by various techniques. In the present study Reaction Time Exclusive Method of Levels (MLE) was used to detect somatic small fibre involvement in ALS patients with no sensory abnomalities on routine NCS. MATERIAL & METHOD: Twenty patients of clinically definite ALS, were evaluated with QST using the reaction time exclusive method of Levels (MLE) for detecting the thresholds of cold sensation (CS) and warm sensation (WS). They were compared with 20 age matched controls. RESULTS: No abnormalities were detected in the thresholds for CS and WS in patients with ALS as compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Thus ALS is essentially a pure motor disorder with normal thermal thresholds as revealed by QST.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epilepsy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Epilepsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Albendazole in neurocysticercosis.

BACKGROUND: In India, parenchymatous cysticercus cysts are more common than the meningeal racemose variety which are seen frequently in Latin America. Reports from Mexico suggest that albendazole is effective in the treatment of neurocysticercosis. We, therefore, studied whether this drug changed the natural course of neurocysticercosis in India. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, we allocated 29 consecutive patients (22 men and 7 women) with multiple cystic lesions on computed tomography (CT) of the head suggestive of cysticercosis to 7 days treatment with albendazole (15 mg/kg/day) or placebo. CT scans were repeated at the end of treatment and 1 and 3 months later to assess the number of cysts and extent of oedema. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received albendazole and 13 placebo. No change was seen at the end of one week. At 3 months, 14 patients in the albendazole group and 10 in the placebo group showed more than 25% reduction in the number of lesions. The difference between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: Albendazole given in a dose of 15 mg/kg/day for 1 week does not change the natural course of neurocysticercosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of vascular lesions in ischaemic stroke: a magnetic resonance angiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy is now an accepted modality for reducing the threat of recurrence of ischaemic strokes in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis. However, the incidence of carotid artery stenosis, and hence the applicability of carotid endarterectomy in the Indian population is not known. We conducted a prospective study to detect and quantify extracranial and intracranial arterial lesions using magnetic resonance angiography in consecutive patients with ischaemic strokes. METHODS: All patients with recent onset of ischaemic stroke (< 4 months) had a magnetic resonance angiography done to evaluate the neck vessels as well as the circle of Willis and its branches. The degree of stenosis of the internal carotid or common carotid artery was measured according to the criteria described by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) collaborators. The site and extent of the extracranial and intracranial arterial lesions were correlated with the clinical features and the pattern of infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomographic scan of the brain. RESULTS: The magnetic resonance angiography was abnormal in 56 out of 100 patients included in the study. Severe stenosis (> 70%) of the extracranial carotid arteries was seen in 26 patients. Lesions suitable for carotid endarterectomy were present in only 11 patients (42.3% of those with severe stenosis). CONCLUSION: Our results are in contrast to those reported from western countries where the likelihood of a surgically correctable lesion being present is 60%-70%. We found operable lesions in only 11%. Intracranial atherosclerotic disease causing strokes is probably more common in India. Therefore, although carotid endarterectomy is the only accepted surgical procedure for secondary prophylaxis of stroke, there is a need to find an alternative surgical intervention for the predominantly intracranial pathology found in the Indian population.

Adolescent↗