Implementation of stroke teams and simulation training shortened process times in a regional stroke network-A network-wide prospective trial.

Background: To meet the requirements imposed by the time-dependency of acute stroke therapies, it is necessary 1) to initiate structural and cultural changes in the breadth of stroke-ready hospitals and 2) to find new ways to train the personnel treating patients with acute stroke. We aimed to implement and validate a composite intervention of a stroke team algorithm and simulation-based stroke team training as an effective quality initiative in our regional interdisciplinary neurovascular network consisting of 7 stroke units.

Methods: We recorded door-to-needle times of all consecutive stroke patients receiving thrombolysis at seven stroke units for 3 months before and after a 2 month intervention which included setting up a team-based stroke workflow at each stroke unit, a train-the-trainer seminar for stroke team simulation training and a stroke team simulation training session at each hospital as well as a recommendation to take up regular stroke team trainings.

Interictal alterations of cytokines and leukocytes in patients with active epilepsy.

Background: Involvement of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of epilepsies has been suggested but possible interactions between the immune system and human epilepsy remain unclear. We analyzed the interictal immuno-phenotype of leukocyte subsets and proinflammatory cytokine profiles in epileptic patients and correlated them with the epilepsy syndrome.

Methods: 101 patients with active focal or generalized epilepsy were prospectively included and compared to 36 healthy controls.

Etiology and site of temporal lobe epilepsy influence postictal cytokine release.

Inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Vice versa, immune functions are regulated by the brain. We measured postictal changes in serum levels of the immuno-modulating cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNFalpha in patients with well-defined temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and determined modifying factors.

NK and CD4+ T cell changes in blood after seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Unlabelled: Immunological phenomena may affect the course of focal epilepsy. We analyzed prospectively the pre- and postictal distribution of leukocyte subsets in epileptic patients.

Methods: Twenty-two patients (age 36.

Status epilepticus and seizures induced by iopamidol myelography.

Purpose: To report that iopamidol myelography can induce status epilepticus (SE) in patients carrying the diagnosis of symptomatic epilepsy and to estimate the incidence of seizures in patients undergoing iopamidol myelography.

Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients with seizures/SE associated with 1350 iopamidol myelographies during the last 5 years at our institution. The impact of cervical versus lumbar myelography was analysed.