Reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with antiepileptic drugs.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) complicating antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy is not well acknowledged in the neurologic literature. We report 4 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy that occurred while they were receiving AEDs. All patients had shoulder and hand involvement, which in 2 was bilateral, and 1 had ipsilateral foot involvement.

Combined ambulatory electroencephalographic and electrocardiographic recordings for evaluation of syncope.

Evaluation of patients with syncope often includes a battery of noninvasive tests. In this study, 45 patients (26 with suspected neurologic and 19 with suspected cardiac syncope) were evaluated with simultaneous 24-hour electroencephalographic (EEG) and 2-channel electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Isolated cardiac rhythm abnormalities were noted in 21 patients, but none of these was symptomatic and no definitive arrhythmias occurred.

The time course of creatine kinase elevation following concentric needle EMG.

The electromyographic (EMG) exam and creatine kinase (CK) are commonly used to evaluate patients with neuromuscular diseases. Prior studies have demonstrated minimal elevation of CK following monopolar needle examination, indicating that a false positive elevation does not occur in normal individuals. We studied the magnitude and time course of CK change resulting from concentric (CNEMG) and monopolar (MNEMG) needle EMG examination on healthy volunteers.