Postdural puncture headache in complex regional pain syndrome: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: To describe the unusual course of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) after pump implantation for intrathecal baclofen (ITB) administration in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)-related dystonia.

Design: Case series based on data collected from 1996 to 2005. Setting.

Intrathecal glycine for pain and dystonia in complex regional pain syndrome.

Since glycinergic neurotransmission plays an important inhibitory role in the processing of sensory and motor information, intrathecal glycine (ITG) administration may be a potential therapy for both pain and movement disorders in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Aims of the current study, which is the first report on ITG in humans, were to evaluate its safety and efficacy. ITG treatment during 4 weeks was studied in CRPS patients with dystonia in the period before they received intrathecal baclofen treatment.

Lack of value of routine analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for prediction and diagnosis of external drainage-related bacterial meningitis.

Object: Routine microbiological and chemical analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is often performed to diagnose external drainage-related bacterial meningitis (ED-BM) at an early stage. A cohort study was performed to investigate the value of several commonly used CSF parameters for the prediction and diagnosis of ED-BM.

Methods: In a cohort of 230 consecutive patients in whom external drains had been placed, CSF samples were collected daily, prospectively evaluated for the presence of bacteria using Gram stain and microbiological culture, and analyzed for leukocyte count, protein concentration, glucose concentration, and ratio of CSF glucose to blood glucose.

Radiotherapy is effective in patients with glioblastoma multiforme with a limited prognosis and in patients above 70 years of age: a retrospective single institution analysis.

Background And Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with a limited prognosis and in patients older than 70 years.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 202 patients with GBM treated between 1990 and 2000 in a single institution. Patients (including patients >or=70 years) were assigned to RPA groups and their survival was compared with RTOG data.

Bacterial meningitis caused by the use of ventricular or lumbar cerebrospinal fluid catheters.

Object: In the present study the authors compared the incidence and risk factors for external drainage-related bacterial meningitis (ED-BM) by using ventricular and lumbar catheters.

Methods: A cohort of 230 consecutive patients with ED was evaluated. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained daily for microbiological culture, and ED-BM was defined based on culture results in combination with clinical symptoms.

High prevalence of long-term cardiovascular, neurological and psychosocial morbidity after treatment for craniopharyngioma.

Introduction: The treatment of craniopharyngiomas is associated with long-term morbidity.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the long-term functional outcome and mortality rates after treatment for craniopharyngiomas, we audited our data with special focus on cardiovascular, neurological and psychosocial morbidity.

Patients And Methods: Between 1965 and 2002, 54 consecutive patients underwent surgery for craniopharyngiomas at the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC).