Churg-Strauss Syndrome Following Vaccination Against 2010 Influenza A (H1N1): A Case Report.

Purpose And Background: Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by asthma, transient pulmonary infiltration, hyper-eosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis. Reported triggering factors include infections, drugs, allergic desensitization, and vaccinations, although cases involving the latter two are extremely rare. Herein, we describe a patient who developed CSS after receiving an H1N1 vaccination.

Statin therapy reduces oxidized low density lipoprotein level, a risk factor for stroke outcome.

Introduction: Statins are reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects aside from cholesterol-lowering effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) and the clinical outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 120 patients with AIS divided in the statin (n = 55) and non-statin (n = 65) groups.

Factors associated with fall-related fractures in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: Fall-related fracture is one of the most disabling features of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). A better understanding of the associated factors is needed to predict PD patients who will require treatment.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 100 adult idiopathic PD patients.

The association between circulating endothelial progenitor cells and outcome in different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke.

Objectives: This study evaluated the relationship between serial changes in circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and outcomes in patients with different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated 65 patients with AIS, including 45 with small-vessel and 20 with large-vessel diseases. The circulating level of EPCs (CD133(+)/CD34(+) and KDR(+)/CD34(+) cells) was determined at different time points (within 48h and on Days 7 and 30 post-stroke).

The diagnostic value of ultrasonography in carpal tunnel syndrome: a comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Background: To compare the value of ultrasonography for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: Eighty non-DM and 40 DM patients with electromyography-confirmed CTS were assessed and underwent high-resolution ultrasonography of the wrists. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) of the median nerve were measured at the carpal tunnel outlet (D) and wrist crease (W).

Varicella-zoster virus infection and nummular headache: a possible association with epicranial neuralgia.

A nummular headache (NH) is a type of primary headache that results from cranial neuralgia without a known cause. We herein report the case of a woman who suffered two episodes of focal headache in the left parietal area with identical characteristics that were compatible with NH. During the recovery phase of the second NH episode, the pain resurged with shingles coinciding with the painful area.

The association of statin therapy and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level for predicting clinical outcome in acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Background: Statins reportedly have anti-inflammatory effects aside from their cholesterol-lowering effect. We investigated the effects of statins on serum hs-CRP level and clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke (IS) patients.

Methods: This prospective cohort study consequently evaluated patients with acute IS in a single medical center.

The association of metabolic risk factors and silent brain infarctions in healthy Taiwanese.

Purpose: Silent brain infarctions (SBI) commonly go unnoticed due to the subtlety of their neurological signs. However, there is the risk of subsequent symptomatic stroke and dementia. A better understanding of the risk factors of SBI may help accurately predict those who will require treatment.

A high prevalence of autoimmune indices and disorders in primary nummular headache.

Backgrounds: Nummular headache (NH) is currently considered a form of peripheral neuralgia originating from the terminal branch in epicranial tissue but its etiopathogenesis is still unknown. Since autoimmune disorders often involve the trigeminosensory nerve to provoke craniofacial pain, we hypothesize that autoimmunity aberration may play a role with regard to NH.

Methods: We examined the antibodies to antinuclear factor, ds-DNA, extracted nuclear antigens, rheumatoid factor, as well as antiphospholipid antibodies, in 23 primary NH patients.

Predictors and outcomes of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in patients with aneurysmal sub-arachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Hydrocephalus following spontaneous aneurysmal sub-arachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is often associated with unfavorable outcome. This study aimed to determine the potential risk factors and outcomes of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in aneurysmal SAH patients but without hydrocephalus upon arrival at the hospital.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight aneurysmal SAH patients were evaluated.

[Treatment guidelines for acute and preventive treatment of cluster headache].

The Treatment Guideline Subcommittee of the Taiwan Headache Society evaluated both the acute and the preventive treatments for cluster headache now being used in Taiwan, based on the principles of evidence- based medicine. We assessed the quality of clinical trials and levels of evidence, and referred to other treatment guidelines proposed by other countries. Throughout several panel discussions, we merged opinions from the subcommittee members and proposed a consensus on the major roles, recommended levels, clinical efficacy, adverse events and cautions of clinical practice regarding acute and preventive treatments of cluster headache.

Statin pre-treatment is associated with lower platelet activity and favorable outcome in patients with acute non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.

Introduction: Statins reportedly have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects aside from cholesterol-lowering. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-existing statin use on platelet activation markers and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated 172 patients with acute ischemic stroke divided in two groups: patients with pre-existing statin (n = 43) and without pre-existing statin (66 cases with statins initiated post-stroke and 63 without statin treatment).

Serial change in platelet activation markers with aspirin and clopidogrel after acute ischemic stroke.

Objectives: Antiplatelet drugs are widely used for secondary prevention after cerebral ischemia of noncardioembolic origin and different antiplatelet drugs exert different pharmacologic effects. This study investigated differences in platelet activation markers in patients taking either aspirin or clopidogrel after acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A prospective randomized case-control study evaluated 70 patients with noncardioembolic stroke treated with either aspirin (100 mg/d) or clopidogrel (75 mg/d) after acute ischemic stroke.

The value of leukocyte adhesion molecules in patients after ischemic stroke.

Leukocyte recruitment and inflammatory response play an important patho-physiologic role after cerebral ischemia. This study aimed to evaluate whether leukocyte adhesion molecules can predict clinical outcome in patients after ischemic stroke. We prospectively examined serial changes in p-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-1), and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) expression by leukocyte subsets using flow cytometry at various time points in 65 acute ischemic stroke patients and 60 controls.

Levels and value of platelet activation markers in different subtypes of acute non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.

Introduction: Platelet activation and its interaction with leukocytes are important in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the value of platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte interaction in different subtypes of acute, non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with acute, non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke, including 32 small-vessel and 22 large-vessel diseases, were evaluated.

Dysregulation of Ca2+ movement in platelets from patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

1. Platelets play a pivotal role during acute ischaemic stroke. An increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) triggers intracellular signal transduction, leading to platelet aggregation and thrombosis.

Exercise test in the inter-attack period of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: a useful diagnostic tool.

Exercise test was reported to be useful for some patients with periodic paralysis. We report here the results of exercise test in three cases of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, for whom the exercise test was all positive. Exercise test could be one of the diagnostic tools in the "inter-attack" state of the probable cases with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Adult Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in Southern Taiwan: epidemiologic trends and prognostic factors.

The clinical features of 22 adult patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, retrospectively collected over a 16-year period, were reviewed. Otopharyngeal infection, haematogenous spread and cranial neurosurgery continue to be the predominant routes of infection. Most patients acquired the infection in the community, and predisposing underlying conditions are common.

The finding and evaluation of EMG-guided BOTOX injection in cervical dystonia.

In this prospective study we report the results of EMG-guided BOTOX injections in a total of 15 cervical dystonia (CD) patients. Pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations included physical examination results, Tsui ratings, and video recording. The dosage of BOTOX injection was determined by the EMG pattern, type of CD, and the degree of muscle hypertrophy.