Development of an electronic decision tool to support appropriate treatment choice in adult patients with epilepsy--Epi-Scope(®).

Background: Given the continuous knowledge progression and the growing number of available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), making appropriate treatment choices for patients with epilepsy is increasingly difficult. While published guidelines help for separate clinical aspects, patients with a combination of specific characteristics may escape proper guidance. This study aimed to determine the appropriateness of AEDs for particular clinical variables and to offer treatment recommendations for adult patients with epilepsy in a user-friendly format for practicing neurologists.

Predictive factors for outcome of invasive video-EEG monitoring and subsequent resective surgery in patients with refractory epilepsy.

Objective: This is a descriptive study of patients who underwent invasive video-EEG monitoring (IVEM) at Ghent University Hospital. The aim of the study is to identify predictive factors for outcome of IVEM and resective surgery (RS). These factors may optimize the patient flow following the non-invasive presurgical evaluation towards IVEM and RS or other treatments.

Treatments for progressing Parkinson's disease: a clinical case scenario study.

Objective: A 'case scenario' study on clinical decisions in progressing Parkinson's disease (PD) was developed to complement scientific evidence with the collective judgment of a panel of experts.

Methods: The opinions of 9 experts in movement disorders on the appropriateness of 9 common pharmacological treatments for 33 hypothetical patient profiles were compared to those of 14 general neurologists. Before rating the case scenarios, all participants received a document integrating European and US guidelines for the treatment of patients with advanced PD.

A pilot trial with modified Atkins' diet in adult patients with refractory epilepsy.

Objectives: At Ghent University Hospital, the feasibility and efficacy of the modified Atkins' diet was evaluated in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. The Atkins' diet restricts carbohydrate intake and was originally designed for weight loss.

Patients And Methods: During a 6-month trial period, a carbohydrate restriction of 20 g/day was in place.

Deep brain stimulation in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy.

Purpose: This pilot study prospectively evaluated the efficacy of long-term deep brain stimulation (DBS) in medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures in patients with MTL epilepsy.

Methods: Twelve consecutive patients with refractory MTL epilepsy were included in this study. The protocol included invasive video-EEG monitoring for ictal-onset localization and evaluation for subsequent stimulation of the ictal-onset zone.

Standards of care for non-convulsive status epilepticus: Belgian consensus recommendations.

Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) makes up around one-third of all cases of SE, affecting approximately 1,000 to 4,000 individuals per year in Belgium. Compared with convulsive SE, NCSE has received considerably less attention, is underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, if recognised, NCSE can however be treated successfully.

Standards of care for adults with convulsive status epilepticus: Belgian consensus recommendations.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a significant health problem, affecting approximately 1,000 to 4,000 individuals per year in Belgium. A workshop was convened by a panel of neurologists from major Belgian centers to review the latest information relating to the definition, diagnosis and treatment of convulsive SE. The panelists sought to make recommendations for practising neurologists, but also primary care physicians and physicians in intensive care units when initiating emergency measures for patients with convulsive SE.

Treatment of Parkinson's disease with pergolide and relation to restrictive valvular heart disease.

Background: Restrictive valvular heart disease has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with pergolide. However, few data are available on frequency, severity, dose dependency, and reversibility of pergolide-induced disease, nor on the pulmonary pressures of these patients. We aimed to clarify these characteristics in a large group of patients.

Treatment of myoclonus.

Myoclonus is a clinical term meaning a sudden, quick, involuntary muscle jerk, irregular or rhythmic, arising in the central nervous system. The most important initial step in the treatment of myoclonus is to try to subclassify the type of myoclonus and identify the underlying disease process. Metabolic derangements or other underlying conditions, if found, need to be treated.