Values of vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid in the urine as potential prognostic biomarkers in ischaemic stroke patients.

Background: Suitable biomarkers that have prognostic values are one of the key points of interest in ischaemic stroke. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity in ischaemic stroke causes multiple local and systemic effects that can be detrimental to the outcome. The mechanism of action is increased secretion and activity of catecholamines, whose end metabolic products are vanillylmandelic acid and homovanilic acid.

Incidence of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack in Croatia: A Population Based Study.

The aim of this population based neuroepidemiological study was to establish the real incidence rates of acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD): stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the Republic of Croatia. Multicentric study included 89 501 persons of all ages in four regional centres in Croatia: Zagreb, Osijek + Slavonski Brod, Rijeka and Split. The following incidence rates of stroke, expressed at population of 100 000, have been established: Zagreb 290.

Dilemma of antiepileptic drugs withdrawal in symptomatic epilepsy.

A successful treatment of epilepsy depends on numerous factors such as etiology, genetics and environmental impact. An exact diagnosis, treatment and an adequate selection of antiepileptic drugs (AED) are important from the very beginning. The patient with symptomatic epilepsy caused by the brain tumor (low-grade astrocytoma in the left parietal lobe, surgically removed 17 years after the first manifestation of illness) is presented in this study.

Spontaneous recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion.

We present a case of spontaneous recanalization of the internal carotid artery (ICA) that occurred in a 51-year-old male patient. The occlusion of the right ICA was asymptomatic and was detected incidentally during imaging of the opposite carotid artery. The patient underwent neuroradiologic analysis and a tapered, flame-like occlusion suggestive of the right ICA dissection was detected.

Trigeminal neuralgia secondary to meningioma of petroclival localization.

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal episodes of facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. It can occur in either sex but is most frequently seen in women aged 50-60 years. This article presents case of trigeminal neuralgia in a 55-year-old female patient caused by meningioma of petroclival localization.

Recurrent transient global amnesia at high altitude.

We report the case of a 57-year-old man who experienced recurrent episodes of memory loss that resemble transient global amnesia (TGA). The first episode lasted 20 minutes, and the second was 8 hours long.

Epidemiology of primary central nervous system tumors in the Coast and Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, 1977-2000.

Aim And Background: To establish the incidence of primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) in the resident population of the Coast and Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, in the period 1977-2000.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study. Tumors were classified according to the World Health Organization's scheme.

Make love to forget: two cases of transient global amnesia triggered by sexual intercourse.

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterized by a sudden onset and by a typical resolution within several hours. Several precipitating events have been proposed: physical exertion, emotional experiences, etc. The aim of this paper was to present two cases of TGA triggered by sexual intercourse and to suggest a possible mechanism for the development of TGA.

Epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in Labin area, Croatia, 1974-2001.

Aim: To establish the incidence of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) in the population of Labin area in Istria, Croatia, characterized by very little population migration.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed data on 175 patients (102 men and 73 women) diagnosed with CNS tumor according to the World Health Organization's diagnostic criteria in the period 1974-2001. Patient data were retrieved from multiple sources: files of general practitioners in Labin area; registers of admissions and discharges of the Pula General Hospital and Rijeka University Hospital Center; and medical records of the Hospital Departments of Neurology, Surgery, Neurosurgery, Oncology and Radiotherapy, and Pathology.