Genetic polymorphism of NAT2 metabolizing enzymes on phenytoin pharmacokinetics in Indian epileptic patients developing toxicity.

Objective: To investigate the effects of NAT2 metabolizing enzymes on the pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drug phenytoin in the epileptic patients showing toxicity.

Methods: Fifty epileptic individuals who had developed toxicity to phenytoin and 50 control epileptic subjects who had not developed toxicity to phenytoin were genotyped for NAT2 (NAT2*5A, NAT2*5C, NAT2*7, NAT2*6) polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP method). Phenytoin plasma levels were analyzed by reversed phase HPLC method and pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the concentration curve (AUC), maximum concentration (C(max)), time to C(max) (t(max)) and half-life (t(1/2)) were estimated by noncompartmental analysis using PK Solutions® software.

Intramedullary spinal epidermoid cyst.

Intramedullary epidermoid cysts of the spinal cord are rare tumours, especially those not associated with spinal dysraphism. Around 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Of these, only seven cases have had magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Cavernous-venous malformation of brain stem--report of a case and review of literature.

Background: Because of improved imaging techniques, the association of cavernous and venous malformations is now being seen more often in neurosurgical practice. However, only a few cases have been subjected to surgery. Surgical excision of the cavernous malformation, sparing the venous component, has been the method of choice advocated by most authors.

Anticardiolipin antibodies in ischemic stroke in the young: Indian experience.

Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) have been recognised as a marker for an increased risk of thrombosis. The prevalence of these antibodies in young Indian ischemic stroke population is not known. Our study establishes the prevalence of these antibodies and evaluates their clinical significance in 60 patients aged 40 years or less who presented with completed ischemic stroke.