Differential risks of subsequent vascular events for transient ischaemic attack and minor ischaemic stroke.

Using a prospective hospital-based registry, 146 patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) were compared with 376 patients with minor first-ever ischaemic stroke with respect to the 3-month risk of subsequent vascular events, in order to clarify the distinctions between the disease entities. All patients were enrolled within 48 h of onset. The risk factor distribution for the two groups was comparable, except that the TIA patients had more previous TIAs.

Acute symptomatic hydrocephalus in Listeria monocytogenes meningitis.

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis appears to have increased in incidence. Although most reported cases of listeriosis involve the central nervous system, brain computed tomography is usually normal. Hydrocephalus is a common complication of tuberculous meningitis, which has a high prevalence in Taiwan.

Acute paraplegia following chiropractic therapy.

We report a 44-year-old man suffering complete paraplegia due to paraspinal and epidural abscess, following chiropractic therapy for severe back pain and whose diagnosis was delayed. He received an immediate laminectomy from T3 through T6 to decompress the full extent of the abscess and appropriate antibiotic therapy for 4 weeks postoperatively for the identified microorganism (Staphylococcus aureus). After 3 months of rehabilitation, he had recovered bladder function with moderate left lower extremity paresis.

Primary brain lymphoma: a report of eight cases from a medical center in southern Taiwan.

Background: Primary brain lymphoma (PBL) in Taiwan has been reported only in three series with very limited immunophenotypic characterization.

Methods: We retrospectively studied PBL cases with history review, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization (ISH) for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded mRNA (EBER) from a single institution in southern Taiwan during 1989-2000.

Results: We found eight cases of PBL including four males and four females with mean age of 64.