Association analysis of nitric oxide synthases: NOS1, NOS2A and NOS3 genes, with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system.

Aim: To explore the genetic basis of three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes: NOS1, NOS2A and NOS3, with susceptibility to MS.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 122 MS patients and 118 healthy controls screened for NOS1 (rs2682826, rs41279104), NOS2A (CCTTT)n/(TAAA)n and NOS3 (rs1800783, rs1800779, rs2070744, 27bpVNTR) markers, using TaqMan®SNP Genotyping Assays and fragment analysis were enrolled in this study.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in Kuwait. Clinical presentation, risk factors, and management.

Objective: To explore the pattern of clinical presentations, risk factors, and the sinuses involved in cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) treated in a tertiary neurological center in Kuwait.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of cases of CVT treated at Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait, from January 2000 to October 2010. The records of 71 patients were retrieved and entered in a database.

Single-fiber electromyography of masseter muscle in myasthenia gravis.

Jitter after axonal microstimulation in the masseter muscle was studied in 30 consecutive patients (12 women) with myasthenia gravis (MG). Patients' mean age was 42.3 (12-75), median disease duration was 3 months (1-72), and onset was ocular (15 cases), oculobulbar (7), bulbar (6), or generalized (2).

Low back ache treatment with botulinum neurotoxin type A. Local experience in Kuwait.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of paraspinal administration of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) in patients with chronic low back ache (LBA).

Subjects And Methods: Eight patients with chronic LBA were injected with BoNT-A at three sites on either side of lumbar paraspinal muscles. The patients rated their pain intensity using a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, and our physiotherapist assessed the paraspinal muscle spasm using a functional scale (FS) from 0 to 5.

Stimulated jitter in the masseter muscle: normative values.

Nineteen healthy volunteers (median age, 25; range, 18-51 years) were enrolled in a study to obtain normative values for stimulated jitter in the masseter muscle. Axonal microstimulation was performed via a monopolar needle electrode introduced in the masseter 2-2.5 cm above the mandibular angle on the line connecting it with the lateral canthus.

Clinical and neurophysiological pattern of Guillain-Barré syndrome in Kuwait.

Objective: To study the clinical and neurophysiological pattern of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Kuwait.

Materials And Methods: The clinical records of consecutive GBS patients admitted to Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait, during a 7-year period between 1997 and 2003 were analyzed.

Results: Of the 41 cases, 77% were male.

Guillain-Barré syndrome in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A case report.

Objective: To report a case of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome in a 32-year old female patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who was on chemotherapy.

Clinical Presentation And Intervention: The patient received chemotherapy including vincristine and steroids according to the Medical Research Council United Kingdom Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia-12 (MRC UKALL-12) protocol. On the 21st day of the first induction course she developed acute fulminant quadriparesis with total areflexia.

Diagnostic dilemmas in acute intermittent porphyria. A case report.

Objective: To present the importance of early diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in patients with atypical presentation and discuss the diagnostic problems encountered in this case.

Clinical Presentation: A 15-year-old girl presented with upper respiratory tract infection, fever, seizures and abdominal pain. An initial diagnosis of encephalitis was made.